Australian Rally Championship

Last updated

Australian Rally Championship
Bosch Motorsport ARC Logo POS.png
Category Rallying
CountryAustralia
Inaugural season1968
Tyre suppliersMRF Tyres
Drivers' championHarry Bates
Coral Taylor
Teams' championToyota Gazoo Racing Australia
Official website rally.com.au
Motorsport current event.svg Current season
Australian Rally Championship, West Australian Round, night stage. 2006. Experts Cup WA SMC.jpg
Australian Rally Championship, West Australian Round, night stage. 2006.

The Motorsport Australia Rally Championship, also commonly known as the Australian Rally Championship (ARC), is Australia's premier gravel rally competition. A multi-event national championship has been held each year since 1968, excepting 2020.

Contents

Competition

The Australian Rally Championship (ARC) has been held across six rounds in most parts of Australia.

Alongside the outright drivers' and co-drivers' titles are multiple ARC Cups including the Production Cup, 2WD Cup, Junior Cup, and Classic Cup.

Events include a mixture of endurance and sprint events. Endurance events typically cover multiple days, with points awarded at the conclusion of the rally. Sprint events distribute points at the conclusion of each day, otherwise known as Heats.

A Power Stage also provides outright ARC crews the opportunity to collect bonus points on the final stage of each rally.

Events

Six rounds will comprise the 2024 Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship

• Rally of Canberra: 5–7 April

• Forest Rally: 17–19 May

• Rally Queensland: 28–30 June

• Gippsland Rally: 9–11 August

• Adelaide Hills Rally: 13–15 September

• Rally Launceston: 22–24 November

Competition classes

A Subaru Impreza WRX competing in an Australian rally. Car rally.jpg
A Subaru Impreza WRX competing in an Australian rally.

The Australia Rally Championship caters to a range of different competitors in the series and with a number of classes and categories; competitors can start rallying at the level that best suits their budget. The outright competition is fought out amongst the names of rallying and is the ultimate test for the competitors at the pointy end of the field. The ARC's top drivers compete in Group N (Production) - cars which have direct links to their road-going counterparts. The ARC also offers opportunities for manufacturers who don't produce Group N cars to build comparable machinery under both the Group N (P) and FIA Super 2000 regulations. Another award that is desirable for competitors to chase is the Privateers Cup for competitors who don't have support from the manufacturer teams. The F16 Championship is the small car category (1600cc, 2WD) and a budget-level place to start rallying. The outright winner of the Championship is an Australian Champion in the small car category and is added to the record books. The Aussie Cup is the Australian award for large cars (over 2500cc) that enables competitors in the big cars to run popular passenger car models such as V6 and V8's. Amongst the outright awards are the opportunities to chase individual class awards that are based on car capacity and specification which gives competitors the opportunity to pursue class victories.

Cars

The more successful cars in recent years of the ARC have been the 4WD 2.0L Turbo models such as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, Subaru Impreza WRX STIs and the Toyota Corolla ARC-spec cars, which are actually running Toyota Celica GT-Four engines, 4WD system, etc.[ citation needed ]. Michael Guest and Mark Stacey campaigned a RWD 2.5L normally aspirated Ford Focus during the 2006 season, switching to a Ford Fiesta prepared for the Super 2000 class in 2007. Most of the cars in the privateer fields are of a similar make, but other makes with success have been the Mitsubishi Mirage, Mitsubishi Galant VR-4, Subaru Legacy, Datsun 1600, Datsun 240Z, Nissan Stanza and the Suzuki Swift GTi.

Drivers

As with the cars, it tends to be the factory-entered drivers that take the outright placings. Some of these drivers have been Colin Bond, Greg Carr. George Fury, Ross Dunkerton, Geoff Portman, Scott Pedder, Simon Evans, Neal Bates, the late Possum Bourne and Ed Ordynski. Privateer crews that have enjoyed recent success include Nathan Quinn and Steve Glenney. In 2015 Molly Taylor became the first woman to win a heat in the Australia Rally Championship. [1]

Winners

Possum Bourne and Craig Vincent (1998) Bourne-ss3.jpg
Possum Bourne and Craig Vincent (1998)
Scott Pedder and Dale Moscatt. Renault Clio R3. International Rally of Queensland 2014 IROQ-APRC-sat14-sam-tickell-077.jpg
Scott Pedder and Dale Moscatt. Renault Clio R3. International Rally of Queensland 2014

Australian Rally Champions

YearDriverCo-driverVehicle
1968 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Harry Firth Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Graham Hoinville Ford Cortina Lotus [2]
1969 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Frank Kilfoyle Flag of New South Wales.svg Doug Rutherford Ford Cortina Lotus
1970 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Robert Watson Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Jim McAuliffe Renault R8 Gordini
1971 Flag of New South Wales.svg Colin Bond Flag of New South Wales.svg George Shepheard Holden Torana LC GTR XU-1
1972 Flag of New South Wales.svg Colin Bond Flag of New South Wales.svg George Shepheard Holden Torana LJ GTR XU-1
1973 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Peter Lang Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Warwick Smith Holden Torana LJ GTR XU-1
1974 Flag of New South Wales.svg Colin Bond Flag of New South Wales.svg George Shepheard Holden Torana LJ GTR XU-1
1975 Flag of Western Australia.svg Ross Dunkerton Flag of Western Australia.svg John Large Datsun 240Z
1976 Flag of Western Australia.svg Ross Dunkerton Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Jeff Beaumont Datsun 260Z
1977 Flag of Western Australia.svg Ross Dunkerton
Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg George Fury 		Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Jeff Beaumont
Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Monty Suffern		 Datsun 260Z
Datsun 710
1978 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Greg Carr Flag of New South Wales.svg John Dawson-Damer* Ford Escort RS
1979 Flag of Western Australia.svg Ross Dunkerton Flag of Tasmania.svg Jeff Beaumont Datsun Stanza
1980 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg George Fury Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Monty Suffern Datsun Stanza
1981 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Geoff Portman Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Ross Runnalls Datsun Stanza
1982 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Geoff Portman Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Ross Runnalls Datsun 1600
1983 Flag of Western Australia.svg Ross Dunkerton Flag of New South Wales.svg Geoff Jones Datsun 1600
1984 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg David Officer Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Kate Officer Mitsubishi Galant GB
1985 Flag of South Australia.svg Barry Lowe Flag of South Australia.svg Kevin Pedder Subaru RX Turbo
1986 Flag of South Australia.svg Barry Lowe Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Kate Officer ** Subaru RX Turbo
1987 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Greg Carr Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Fred Gocentas Alfa Romeo GTV6
1988 Flag of Queensland.svg Murray Coote Flag of Queensland.svg Iain Stewart Mazda 323 4WD
1989 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Greg Carr Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Mick Harker Lancia Delta Integrale
1990 Flag of South Australia.svg Ed Ordynski Flag of South Australia.svg Mark Nelson Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
1991 Flag of Western Australia.svg Robert Herridge Flag of Western Australia.svg Steve Vanderbyl Subaru Liberty RS
1992 Flag of Western Australia.svg Robert Herridge Flag of South Australia.svg Mark Nelson Subaru Liberty RS
1993 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Neal Bates Flag of New South Wales.svg Coral Taylor Toyota Celica GT-Four
1994 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Neal Bates Flag of New South Wales.svg Coral Taylor Toyota Celica GT-Four
1995 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Neal Bates Flag of New South Wales.svg Coral Taylor Toyota Celica GT-Four
1996 Flag of New Zealand.svg Possum Bourne Flag of New South Wales.svg Craig Vincent Subaru Impreza 555
1997 Flag of New Zealand.svg Possum Bourne Flag of New South Wales.svg Craig Vincent Subaru Impreza 555
1998 Flag of New Zealand.svg Possum Bourne Flag of New South Wales.svg Craig Vincent Subaru Impreza 555
1999 Flag of New Zealand.svg Possum Bourne Flag of New South Wales.svg Craig Vincent Subaru Impreza WRC98
2000 Flag of New Zealand.svg Possum Bourne Flag of Queensland.svg Mark Stacey Subaru Impreza WRC98
2001 Flag of New Zealand.svg Possum Bourne Flag of New South Wales.svg Craig Vincent Subaru Impreza WRC
2002 Flag of New Zealand.svg Possum Bourne Flag of Queensland.svg Mark Stacey Subaru Impreza WRX STi
2003 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Cody Crocker Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Greg Foletta Subaru Impreza WRX STi
2004 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Cody Crocker Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Greg Foletta Subaru Impreza WRX STi
2005 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Cody Crocker Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Dale Moscatt Subaru Impreza WRX STi Spec-C
2006 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Simon Evans Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Sue Evans Toyota Corolla Sportivo (NP)
2007 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Simon Evans Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Sue Evans Toyota Corolla Sportivo (NP)
2008 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Neal Bates Flag of New South Wales.svg Coral Taylor Toyota Corolla S2000
2009 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Simon Evans Flag of New South Wales.svg Sue Evans Toyota Corolla S2000
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2010 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Simon Evans Flag of New South Wales.svg Sue Evans Subaru Impreza WRX STi
2011 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Justin Dowel Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Matt Lee Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2012 2WD: Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Eli Evans Flag of Queensland.svg Glen Weston Honda Jazz
4WD: Flag of New South Wales.svg Michael Boaden Flag of New South Wales.svg Helen Cheers Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2013 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Eli Evans Flag of Queensland.svg Glen Weston Honda Jazz
2014 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Scott Pedder Flag of New South Wales.svg Dale Moscatt Renault Clio
2015 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Eli Evans Flag of Queensland.svg Glen Weston Citroen DS3
2016 Flag of New South Wales.svg Molly Taylor Flag of Western Australia.svg Bill Hayes Subaru Impreza WRX STi
2017 Flag of New South Wales.svg Nathan Quinn Flag of Western Australia.svg Bill Hayes *** Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2018 Flag of Victoria (Australia).svg Eli Evans Flag of Western Australia.svg Ben SearcySkoda Fabia R5
2019 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Harry Bates Flag of Queensland.svg John McCarthyToyota Yaris AP4
2021 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Harry Bates Flag of Queensland.svg John McCarthy Toyota GR Yaris AP4
2022 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Lewis Bates Flag of Queensland.svg Anthony McLoughlin Toyota GR Yaris AP4
2023 Flag of the Australian Capital Territory.svg Harry Bates Flag of New South Wales.svg Coral Taylor Toyota GR Yaris AP4

* Fred Gocentas co-drove for Greg Carr during the 1978 season while Dawson-Damer co-drove for Colin Bond while also scoring points on one occasion co-driving for Dave Morrow which enabled him to beat Gocentas to the co-driver's title.
** Kate Officer co-drove for David Officer during the 1986 season.
*** Bill Hayes co-drove for Molly Taylor during the 2017 season. David Calder and Ben Searcy co-drove for Quinn in 2017.

Group N Rally Championship

YearDriverCo-driverVehicle
1990 Ed Ordynski (SA)Mark Nelson (SA) Mitsubishi Galant VR4
1991Bob Nicoli (WA)Brian Harwood (WA) Daihatsu Charade GTti
1992Robert Herridge (WA)Mark Nelson (SA) Subaru Liberty RS
1993 Ed Ordynski (SA)Mark Stacey (SA) Mitsubishi Lancer RS-E
1994 Ed Ordynski (SA)Mark Stacey (SA) Mitsubishi Lancer RS-E2
1995 Ed Ordynski (SA)Mark Stacey (SA) Mitsubishi Lancer RS-Ev2
1996Michael Guest (NSW)Steve O'Brien-Pounde (NSW) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3
1997Michael Guest (NSW)Mark Stacey (SA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3
1998 Cody Crocker (VIC)Greg Foletta (VIC) Subaru Impreza WRX
1999 Cody Crocker (VIC)Greg Foletta (VIC) Subaru Impreza WRX
2000 Cody Crocker (VIC)Greg Foletta (VIC) Subaru Impreza WRX
2001 Cody Crocker (VIC)Greg Foletta (VIC) Subaru Impreza WRX
2002 Possum Bourne (NZ)Mark Stacey (QLD) Subaru Impreza WRX

Australian Manufacturers Champions

YearCompany
1969Ford Motor Co of Aust.
1970Renault (Aust) Pty Ltd
1971General Motors-Holden's
1972General Motors-Holden's
1973General Motors-Holden's
1974General Motors-Holden's
1975Nissan Motor Co (Aust)
1976Nissan Motor Co (Aust)
1977Nissan Motor Co (Aust)
1988Mazda Motors Pty Ltd
1989Lancia Spa
1990Mitsubishi Motors Aust Ltd
1991Daihatsu Australia Pty Ltd
1992Daihatsu Australia Pty Ltd
1993Daihatsu Australia Pty Ltd
1994Daihatsu Australia Pty Ltd
1995Daihatsu Australia Pty Ltd
1996Daihatsu Australia Pty Ltd
1997Mitsubishi Motors Aust Ltd
1998Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
1999Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
2000Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
2001Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
2002Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
2003Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
2004Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
2005Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
2006Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited
2007Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited
2012Honda Motor Company Australia Limited
2013Honda Motor Company Australia Limited
2014 Citroen Australia
2015 Citroen Australia
2016Subaru Australia Pty Ltd
2022Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited
2023Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited

Australian Formula 2 Rally Champions

YearDriverCo-driverVehicle
1995Bob Nicoli (WA)Claire Parker (WA) Daihatsu Charade GTi
1996Ross Mackenzie (WA)Tony Brandon (ACT) Daihatsu Charade GTi
1997Brett Middleton (NSW)Linda Long (NSW) Honda Civic
1998Rick Bates (ACT)Jenny Brittan (NSW) Daihatsu Charade GTi
1999Simon Evans (VIC)Sue Evans (VIC) VW Golf Mk III Kit Car
2000Lee Peterson (TAS)Graham Legg-Stoker (VIC) Nissan Pulsar GTi
2001Andrew Hannigan (WA)Duncan Jordan (WA) Daihatsu Charade GTi
2002Warwick Rooklyn (NSW)Linda Long (NSW) Daihatsu Charade GTi

Australian F16 Rally Champions

YearDriverCo-driverVehicle
2003Lee Peterson (TAS)Graham Legg-Stoker (VIC) Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg
2004Denise Collins (SA)Gerard McConkey (QLD) Honda Civic
2005Leigh Garrioch (VIC)Ken Garrioch (VIC)Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg
2006Leigh Garrioch (VIC)Ken Garrioch (VIC)Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg

See also

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References

  1. ↑ David McCowen (4 April 2015). "Molly Taylor makes rallying history by winning a heat of the Australian Rally Championship". Drive.com.au. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "1968 CAMS AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP, www.snooksmotorsport.com.au, as archived at web.archive.org" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
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