Coming Events Previews: Social Run, Benarkin, and Imbil
2024 Quality Accounting Coffs Coast Rally: Clerk of Course notes
Pacenote Theory Night recap
Fafe-ing About: Rally de Portugal with Anthony Mcloughlin
Otago Rally: Insights with Peter Clydesdale
Monaco
New
NOVICE
The President’s Report
With Tony kabel
Welcome to the 2nd Quarter 2024 Edition of BRISPORT. Although we have not run an event since QRC 1; The APX Suspension Manumbar Rally, we still have been busy with several things. On the 20th of April we tried to rerun the washed-out Test and Tune as the date became available with moving of the QRC2 round in Coffs Harbour to a new date in May. We suspect that due to the season being already started and only 4 weeks before Coffs many may have been saving their pennies for the next round of the QRC. Next year we will be running the Test and Tune early in the year again.
Speaking of Coffs Harbour, I was very happy to see the event run successfully with a good number of Queensland competitors heading south for the event. I was not able to attend due to family commitments, but by all accounts the event was a great success due to the hard work from the tenacious team in Coffs, and with some help from several BSCC members. The club was also happy to help where we could with the loan of some of our equipment.
As you’ll read in this edition, the club’s biggest event of the year has been run and won. The Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland. Glen Brinkman and his company, Accent Benchtops, have once again supported this event as the naming right sponsors. Along with the support from the Gympie Regional Council and several other sponsors and partners this event has grown to another level this year.
With Wheels On Mary and several new initiatives including the concert on the Saturday night and the Mary Valley Rattler train taking spectators to Amamoor, the event was very well supported by many locals and visitors alike. A huge thank you must go out to all involved.
An event of this nature does not run itself and takes many people and many months of work to make it happen. The organising team headed up by Brian Everitt and Mal Bartolo started thinking about this year ’ s event not long after last years had finished. Sitting back and resting on our laurels of a great event in 2023 was never going to happen so work started early on plans to ensure this event keeps growing.
The events Commercial Manager, Peter Flynn, with help from Craig Porter started talking to last year ’ s sponsors and partners and knocking on the doors of potential new ones. The success of their hard work has paid off with several new sponsors and partners coming on board for this year ’ s event.
We cannot forget our many fantastic volunteer officials who without you this event would just not be possible. On behalf of the Brisbane Sporting Car Club and the Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland, I would personally like to thank each and everyone of you.
We also have some fantastic news for this event with Glenn and Accent Benchtops announcing that they will be the naming right sponsors for at least the next two years. This gives the club some certainty going forward with the future of this great event. Thanks again, Glenn.
Our next major event is not far away with the Benarkin Winter stages on S t d 27th f J l Th B ki State School will again be our hosts and will be similar to the last one run in . Entries are open so get yours in, so you
QRC 4 The Lakes Hyundai Imbil Forest Rally, again supported by Joesph and Lakes Hyundai at North Lakes is well into to the planning stages and will be using some of the great roads used at Rally QLD last month, but with many changes. Based at the Stirling Crossing Equestrian Complex this event has long proven to be a great event.
In other club news we have been able to replenish and carry out some maintenance on the club’s radios. Craig Porter, with help from Iain Robertson and Jeff Winston have been working on them for the last couple of months. We were able take more than 90 units to Gympie for the ARC last month. Thanks Craig, Iain and Jeff. The corresponding article is in this issue. Please enjoy this edition of Brisport and I hope to see you all soon.
EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE GETAWAY IN THE GYMPIE REGION
Two hours from Brisbane, the Gympie region is surrounded by nature and wildlife that you can’t get anywhere else in Queensland.
The coloured sands of Rainbow Beach and the charming fishing town of Tin Can Bay are our coastal playgrounds and the southern gateway to K’gari (Fraser Island).
Away from the coast, you’ll find the pioneering heritage town of Gympie with elegant buildings and heritage railways. Out west, you’ll discover a beauty unmatched; the rolling hills of our western townships and the lush, fertile land of the Mary Valley.
There’s more to the Gympie region than you might imagine.
PEDDER’S PODIUM NO BULL
ABRQ SUCCESSFULLY RUN AND WON
By now everyone should be well and truly across the dramatic events of the 2024 Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland (ABRQ). If not, here’s a brief recap of the action.
Prior to ABRQ, a Toyota had taken the top spot in 20 of the last 22 Australian Rally Championship rounds. This was most definitely not meant to be in QLD. In a rare instance, ABRQ saw all three of the Toyota factory cars out due to high speed incidents. Although repairs could be made in order for the team to make up some points on Sunday, it left the door open for the rest of the field to nab the silverware for the weekend.
Enter Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall. The veterans taking the event in style; Scott’s first win in 10 years and surprisingly Glenn’s first ever ARC round win. Even despite a puncture, Pedder’s class shone through. The rest of the field also showing that Toyota will have to remain consistent into the future as there is no shortage of genuine talent snapping at their heels.
Molly Taylor’s Subaru was another notable vehicle on struggle street at ABRQ. After a successful Saturday, Sunday saw mechanical issues which meant no points for Sunday; opening the Production Cup wide open. Weidman, Hoy, and Reading will be in the hunt now after outstanding efforts at ABRQ.
As mentioned, the was no shortage of big shunts this year, but sadly one did leave a crew member in hospital and a stage closed. Molly Spalding and Matt Dillon crashed their Subaru on the first stage of Sunday, ultimately closing the stage to the back half of the field. Spalding fractured a finger, but Dillon was less fortunate; taken to hospital with a fractured spine. We’re happy to report that he
The Kickass Products Queensland Rally Championship (QRC) was taken out by Clayton Hoy and Pip Bennett with Ryan Williams and Brad Jones hot on their tail. The contest in the QRC, in all categories, is in great shape leading into the final two rounds of the year.
Friday night’s, Wheels on Mary was once again a sensational evening. A great chance for everyone to catch up prior to the event and a chance to bring our great sport to the people. With the help of the Gympie Regional Council, Gympie was transformed into a horsepower themed street party.
From a club perspective, the event was a great success. The weather was excellent; arguably perfect rallying conditions. The event saw 205 officials registered, with 320 roles filled. By all accounts, fun was had by all and all were greatly appreciative of their gifts. Thank you again to Glenn Brinkman for providing much of this.
L.WPHOTOGRAPHY
Our newest partnership with the Mary Valley Rattler was another notable success of the event. The novelty of the ‘Rally Train’ was very well received; a sell out in fact. By all accounts a memorable experience for the patrons. To the volunteers of the Service Park, a big thank you. The Service Park was set before midday on Wednesday 26th July and ran very well throughout the event. It was then mostly cleared before midday, Monday 1st July.
The Command Centre ran extremely efficiently with few, if any problems. Our Radio system performed well although a hiccup with Channel 1 created a minor problem on Saturday night, with the swap of Repeater 3 with Repeater 1 conducted by Peter Millear. Feedback for the new BSCC marquee was glowing as it stood proudly at TC0. Thanks to Tony Kabel for organising.
Here’s some more quick stats from the weekend:
95% of competitor documentation complete by Close of Entries
Only 1 QRC competitor withdrawal owing to unexpected health issue
200+ Beach Carts distributed along with numerous Mary Valley Rattler vouchers and Rainbow Beach Helicopter Vouchers
Over 800 bottles of water distributed to competitors & officials
Believe it or not, planning is already underway for ABRQ 2025. The plan is not to rest on our laurels and to continue to grow and improve the event. Accent Benchtops announced its continued involvement for 2025 and 2026. We once again thank Glenn Brinkman and his team for all that they do for our sport. Bring on 2025!
The 'Peak Performance Rally Re-run Tour' to be run on Sunday 7th of July 2024 is a non-competitive social tour, run on many of the roads that were used in the original BSCC event run in 1980. This event is basically a re-run of part of the first division and part of the second division of the 1980 Peak Performance Rally which was run as a navigation event. Being a noncompetitive social tour no competition licence is required. Membership of a Motorsport Australia club is required, although single day membership is available.
This event is just under 200 kilometres long and will be run over mainly sealed and some good dirt roads and possibly a couple of lesser quality roads. The route was comfortably surveyed in a 2008 Mazda 3. What once were remote dirt rally roads are now, in general, well maintained roads. They still are windy and climb and descend but a lot are bitumen and are a joy to drive.
The start of the event will be at the BP Truckstop Warrego highway Haigslea at 9am 7 July 2024 and the end of the event will be at the Floating Cafe cnr. Harris st. and the Gatton-Helidon Road, Grantham. Even though there is no timing on the event, the cafe closes at 3:00 pm.
Questions will be asked at places around the route and the answers will be easy to find. The instructions will be issued in general for two groups. Navigation Challenge: These instructions are set out in similar manner as the original event with some necessary alterations to accommodate the changes to roads etc over the past 44 years. These will require simple map reading navigation using the original maps used in the 1980 event. The maps used are highly accurate and the instructions will be as well.
Non Navigation: These instructions are in the form of written directions that will guide you around the route covering the same route as the Navigation Challenge crews. They may or may not include distances.
All Bitumen route- If required: Instructions for an all bitumen route can be supplied if requested. The all bitumen route will visit most, but not all of the points via bitumen roads. Any entrants requiring an all bitumen route should advise the organisers ASAP so these instructions can be printed.
Official maps: Three maps will be issued in case you fall off the instructions and need to know where the nearest town etc is.
To enter: Complete the Entry Form or Contact Judy Foster for details. J.foster@bscc.asn.au Mob: 0402 390 925
Entry Fee: $10:00 payable on the day.
On behalf of the Organisers
The Peak Performance Re Run Tour
Brisbane Sporting Car Club Ltd
Email: info@bscc.asn.au
Web: bscc.asn.au
It’s the busy season for the BSCC. No sooner have we completed Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland and we ’ re prepping for another event: BSCC Benarkin Winter Stages is back!
Following last year ’ s successful format, we will be running 2 x short stages, to later be combined into one long stage; based out of Benarkin State School’s grounds. The two short stages will combine to create a long stage of approximately 18km, allowing crews to stretch their legs into the evening. On that note, an optional night stage will be available, commencing after sundown. Ultimately this means if crews complete both short stages and the long stage twice, mileage should be approximately 54kms. You may even get well over 70kms of Benarkin’s best roads by day’s end. The event will also be an opportunity for crews to practice their pacenoting skills. Recce will be available between 08:00 and 10:15.
We’re once again very grateful for our continued partnership with Benarkin State School, who will again be helping out with catering. The school are incredibly excited to have us once again and we encourage you to give them your patronage as it’s a major fundraiser for their year. Last year ’ s Winter Stages helped substantially towards their senior kids attending school camp.
Entries and officials registration will open soon. We look forward to seeing you all out there!
I M B I L F O R E S T R A L L Y
P R E V I E W
By now, everyone‘s 2024 rally calendar’s should have the Lakes Hyundai Imbil Forest Rally firmly locked in. With just under 2 months to go, we thought we ‘d give you a quick rundown on what promises to be an excellent event.
Saturday 24th of August will see Queensland’s best once again descend on Stirling Crossing Equestrian Complex just west of Imbil. The outstanding facility once again coming on board to host. Clerk of Course, Mal Bartolo supported by his Deputy, Tony Kabel, have been very busy putting together a classic Imbil event, but with some twists and changes to keep everyone on their toes.
The daylight event will be comprised of two heats with a competitive distance of 115.9km awaiting competitors. Presentations are planned for 7pm.
Heat 1: 61k Comp + 69k Liaison (Stages Derrier I, Branch I, Colburn I & Derrier II with remote refuel then SERVICE I)
Heat 2: 54.8k Comp + 70.8k Liaison (Stages Branch II, Colburn II & Derrier III, SERVICE II, then Branch III).
Lakes Hyundai, North Lakes are our proud major sponsors and will once again be offering us use of their facility for scrutineering.
With the gap between Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland and Imbil being relatively close a decision was made to use some ABRQ roads, however in reverse direction and with other changes to keep things interesting.
One controlled Spectator Point is planned, however other locations are likely (unmanned by Spectator Marshals, but controlled by Road Closures). Coffee and food vendors will be on site at Stirling Crossing as well as camping and toilet/shower facilities. Also, RON 98 is now available in Imbil (Liberty Servo, 5:30am – 8:00pm, Cold Drinks, Hot Box & Fast Food available).
We look forward to yet another round of the 2024 Kickass Products Motorsport Australia Queensland Rally Championship being successfully run and won.
F i r s t l y , i t w a s w i t h s o m e
r e s e r v a t i o n s t h a t I t o o k o n t h e e v e n t .
A s D e p u t y C h a i r o f Q R A P I r e a l i s e t h e
i m p o r t a n c e o f d o i n g w h a t e v e r i s
n e e d e d t o e n s u r e t h a t f o r t h e f i r s t
CLERKOF COURSE NOTES
t i m e i n m a n y y e a r s w e h a v e a w o r t h y
c h a m p i o n s h i p , i n 2 0 2 4 . I d i d m a k e
a r r a n g e m e n t s t o m e e t t h e t e a m a n d
d r i v e t h e c o u r s e , a l o n g w i t h r e v i e w
w h e r e t h e y w e r e A S A P . T o t h a t e n d ,
I q u i c k l y r e a l i s e d t h a t w h i l e t h e c a k e
n e e d e d a b i t o f i c i n g i t w a s a v e r y
d e l i c i o u s c a k e .
T h e t e a m a t C o f f s H a r b o u r D i s t r i c t
S p o r t i n g C a r C l u b w e r e w e l c o m i n g
a n d k e e n t o m a k e t h e e v e n t t h e b e s t
t h e y c o u l d . I t w a s a l s o o b v i o u s w i t h
t h e i r b a c k g r o u n d s t h a t t h i s w a s a n
e v e n t ‘ b y c o m p e t i t o r s ; f o r
c o m p e t i t o r s ’ , b u t w i t h a k e e n e y e o n
h o w t o m a k e i t e n j o y a b l e f o r
v o l u n t e e r o f f i c i a l s ; a n d t h a t t h e e v e n t
e n j o y e n o r m o u s c o m m u n i t y s u p p o r t
a n d p r o v i d e m u c h b e n e f i t i n r e t u r n .
H o w c o u l d I n o t w a n t t o b e i n v o l v e d ?
T h e e v e n t w a s c l e a r l y w e l l r e c e i v e d
w i t h a v e r y s t r o n g f i e l d o f 4 8 e n t r i e s ,
i n c l u d i n g s o m e t h i n g 3 0 o d d Q R C
c o m p e t i t o r s a l o n g w i t h a g o o d
c o n t i n g e n t o f N S W c o m p e t i t o r s , w h o
a d d e d s o m e w e l c o m e d e p t h t o t h e
c o m p e t i t i o n . W r i t i n g n e a r l y a w e e k
a f t e r t h e e v e n t , m y f e e l i n g s a r e b e s t
s u m m e d u p b y o n e o f t h e c o m p e t i t o r ’ s
c o m m e n t s a t S a t u r d a y n i g h t s
p r e s e n t a t i o n . H e s a i d t h a t o n
S a t u r d a y m o r n i n g , l o o k i n g a t t h e
i t i n e r a r y a n d s e e i n g 1 2 0 k m
c o m p e t i t i v e , a c r o s s 9 s t a g e s w i t h 4 6
s t a r t e r s a n d s u n s e t a t 4 . 5 9 p m , h e
f i g u r e d w e h a d n o c h a n c e o f f u l l
d i s t a n c e T h e r e w e r e s o m e s i g n i f i c a n t
c h a l l e n g e s t h r o u g h t h e d a y ,
e s p e c i a l l y a r o u n d s e t u p i s s u e s t h a t
W e h a d d e l i v e r e d t h e f u l l e v e n t
a n d w e h a d a l l c o m p l e t e d a g o o d
d a y ’ s h a r d r a l l y i n g i n t h e f a m e d
C o f f s f o r e s t s . I t i s a t e s t a m e n t t o
S a m H i l l a n d h i s t e a m t h a t a s t h e y
h a d d e m o n s t r a t e d i n t h e l e a d u p t o
t h e e v e n t , n o t h i n g s t o o d i n t h e i r
w a y a n d t h e y a l w a y s f o u n d a w a y
t h r o u g h .
C o m p e t i t i o n t h r o u g h o u t w a s
i n t e n s e . M a l K e o g h i n t h e Q u a t t r o
c a m e o u t h a r d o n l y t o b r e a k a
s u b f r a m e , b u t i n t h e e n d , i t w a s a
b r i l l i a n t d a y s c o m p e t i t i o n . R y a n
W i l l i a m s a n d B r a d J o n e s u l t i m a t e l y
t o o k o u t t h e w i n . H a v i n g s l u g g e d i t
o u t a l l d a y w i t h J o s h R e d h e a d a n d
o t h e r s . T h e y m a n a g e d t o p u l l 2 0
s e c s b a c k o n S S 9 ; t h e f a s t a n d
f l o w i n g P l u m P u d d i n g s t a g e a t j u s t
o v e r 9 k m . C o m p l e t e d o n a l m o s t
c o m p l e t e l y s h a g g e d t y r e s , w i t h t h e
r e s t o f t h e f i e l d n o t f a r b e h i n d .
F o r m e p e r s o n a l l y , i t m a r k e d a
m a j o r s t e p o u t s i d e m y c o m f o r t z o n e .
I l e a r n t h e a p s a b o u t t h e i n t i m a t e
d e t a i l s o f h o w t o r u n a r a l l y ,
b e c a u s e f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , I d i d n o t
h a v e t h e r e g u l a r h e l p t o r e l y o n f o r
s a t c h e l s , s c o r i n g , t i m e c a r d s , e t c .
O n e o f m y e a r l y r e q u i r e m e n t s w a s
t h e a b s o l u t e n e e d t o e n s u r e w e h a d
b a c k u p t i m i n g , p r o p e r t i m e c a r d s
a n d c o r r e c t c o n t r o l p a p e r w o r k . T h i s
p r o v e d i t s e l f w i t h s o m e i s s u e s
a r o u n d c o m p e t i t o r s t i m e s n o t b e i n g
r e c o r d e d i n R a l l y s a f e . I t a l s o d r o v e
o f f i c i a l s ’ e n g a g e m e n t , a n d
h i g h l i g h t e d t o m e t h a t a l l t h e
t e c h n o l o g y i s j u s t a t o o l . Y o u n e e d
t o s t i l l r u n a r a l l y .
B S C C g e n e r o u s l y s u p p o r t e d t h e
e v e n t b y p r o v i d i n g t i m i n g g e a r a n d
f i r e e x t i n g u i s h e r s t h a t w e r e e s s e n t i a l
t o t h e e v e n t p r o g r e s s i n g . M y h e a r t f e l t
t h a n k s t o T o n y a n d t h e b o a r d f o r t h e i r
e n c o u r a g e m e n t a n d a s s i s t a n c e t o h e l p
e s t a b l i s h a n o t h e r e v e n t i n t o t h e Q R C
c a l e n d a r . I a l s o b e l i e v e i t w a s o f v a l u e
f o r m a n y Q R C c o m p e t i t o r s t o t r y
s o m e t h i n g n e w . N S W f o r e s t r y h u m p s
a r e d e f i n i t e l y d i f f e r e n t t o H Q P h u m p s .
“thanks to Sam Hill and the whole Coffs team”
l l y l i n k e d a n d i t p e r f o r m e d
f a u l t l e s s l y a n d e f f e c t i v e l y a l l d a y .
W e l l w o r t h t h e c o s t . O n e i n t e r e s t i n g
t a k e a w a y f r o m t h e d a y w a s t h a t w e
u s e d a V i r t u a l C h i c a n e o n o n e
T h e r e a r e a n u m b e r o f k e y p e o p l e I
w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k . O f c o u r s e , B S C C
f o r t h e i r a s s i s t a n c e . S a m H i l l a n d t h e
w h o l e C o f f s t e a m a n d o f f i c i a l s f o r
m a k i n g m e s o w e l c o m e a n d w o r k i n g
s o h a r d , b u t w i t h o u t J u d y F o s t e r ’ s
h e l p w e w o u l d h a v e b e e n i n p o o r
s h a p e . H a v i n g s o r t o f v o l u n t e e r e d s h e
j u m p e d i n b o o t s a n d a l l a n d p r o d u c e d
2 c a r l o a d s o f d o c u m e n t a t i o n a n d k e y
p a p e r w o r k . T h e n a s s i s t e d i n a n u m b e r
o f t a s k s a l l d a y . K e n t L a w r e n c e f o r
S U E H A P P Y S N A P S S U E H A P P Y S N A P S
p a r t i c u l a r l y h i g h - s p e e d c o r n e r . I
a c t u a l l y a s k e d C a m e r o n f r o m
R a l l y s a f e l a t e r h o w t h a t w o r k e d . W e
h a d 1 0 0 % c o m p l i a n c e w i t h s p e e d s
r a n g i n g f r o m a h i g h o f 5 6 k p h ( 6 0 k p h
V C ) t o a l o w o f 1 8 k p h . S i n c e i t i s
p r i m a r i l y a b o u t s a f e t y i t w a s
s a t i s f y i n g t h a t t h i s t o o l h e l p e d u s
h e l p i n g r e f i n e a n d p r o d u c e a h i g h
q u a l i t y b u t e x t r e m e l y b u s y r o a d b o o k
u n d e r v e r y t r y i n g c o n d i t i o n s . I t g a v e
m e t h e c o n f i d e n c e t h a t w e c o u l d
d e l i v e r a s a f e e v e n t . D o m i n i c
C o r k e r o n f o r h i s C R O a c t i v i t y ,
k e e p i n g t h e t r o o p s h a p p y m o s t l y , a n d
Q R A P S U E H A P P Y S N A P S
a c h i e v e t h e a i m o f e n s u r i n g w e
r e d u c e d p o t e n t i a l r i s k .
P a u l W o o d w a r d f o r b e i n g t h e
e x p e r i e n c e d h a n d t o i n t e r v e n e w h e n
n e e d e d .
I t i s a l w a y s w o r t h t r y i n g s o m e t h i n g
n e w a n d l e a r n i n g f r o m i t . G l a d I d i d .
PETER FLYNN
MICHELLE VAN DER WILK
ThePowerofPacenoting PACENOTE THEORY NIGHT A GREAT SUCCESS
On Wednesday 17th of April, we had our pacenote theory night at the BSCC clubrooms. 2022 ARC Production Cup winning codriver, Larisa Biggar led an outstanding pacenoting theory night; sharing her wisdom and experience with our members. Larisa went into considerable, but not overwhelming, depth, as she shared with our members the ins and outs of the art of pacenoting. The feedback from the event, particularly from our younger members was that the night was outstanding and incredibly helpful, the only drawback being they were unable to put the theory into practice on the Saturday, as the planned Test and Tune was unable to run. Larisa shared footage from various recces, a variety of different road books and pacenote instructions from a multitude of past events, and even came prepared with gifts and prizes for the group.
As a club, we hope to run a similar evening again, most likely in the new year. Until then, we hope that our members have been practicing and were ready to put their newfound knowledge to good use at Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland and the upcoming BSCC Benarkin Winter Stages.
FAFE-ING ABOUT
BSCC MEMBER, ANTHONY MCLOUGHLIN SHARES HIS RALLY DE PORTUGAL INSIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY WITH BRISPORT
DREAM COME TRUE
Rally Portugal is an incredible event. It’s an event myself and Lewis have grown up watching, having been in the WRC on and off for over 40 years Many rally fans would have seen the footage of the crowds especially in the 80’s and 90’s where the drivers would drive through the stages narrowly missing swarms of spectators that lined the stage. Whilst those crazy scenes are no longer repeated the crowds that come to watch this event is something that is hard to comprehend coming from Australia. Competing in this event was certainly a dream come true and one of those bucket list items that we have now both ticked off the list
The journey for Lewis and I started on the 23rd of April with Lewis flying to Lisbon a day earlier than me on the 24th This turned out to be a wise decision on his behalf getting a rest day after the long flight. On the 26th of April Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) had invited us to a private test in their test Rally2 GR Yaris. The test was held in the mountains to the north of the famous Fafe stage. The test day consisted of as many runs as we could fit in. Driving up and down a 5km gravel road testing various different setups that the TGR engineers could throw at us and Lewis providing feedback to help in the development of the GR Yaris Rally2 car.
After 8 hours of testing we had managed to drive almost 250 stage kilometres. Both of us had never driven a rally car for that long at rally pace in one day. Whilst exhausting, it was a great opportunity to find a good setup and learn the car that we would be using in the rally. The opportunity also gave us an idea of the road surface. Portugal stages are known for being soft and getting very rutted which requires a change in driving style. The further back you are in the field the more rutted it gets and more difficult it is to drive.
After the test day we had just over a week before the rally week started with recce starting on Monday the 6th of May Whilst preparing for the event we had contemplated flying home and then flying back. We were glad we didn’t because that long haul flight to Europe takes a few days to get over and adjust to the different time zone. The week off was a mix of rally prep and sightseeing around northern Portugal. As part of the rally prep Lewis and I drove a lot of the liaison sections that we would have to drive in the rally. Portugal has an amazing freeway system but it is also very complex.
I had been warned by other Australian codrivers that have done the event to make sure you understand and get your head around the road network. Missing a freeway exit can cause a serious headache trying to get back on the right road and cost time, not to mention a cranky driver. Some freeway exits had up to 3 roads going in different directions so making sure I guided Lewis down the right road was critical. Whilst the road book was very detailed it was still difficult to follow. I am not sure what the weather gods were thinking that week but whilst driving around we saw every weather event known to man. There was bright sunshine, followed by heavy rain, sleet, snow and then back to bright sunshine. All of that would happen in a matter of 20 minutes. The region did get a lot of rain in the week prior to the rally which did end up making the stages better in the rally.
RALLY WEEK
Rally week started on Monda May. We had a pre-event test o the mountains to the north east far from where we tested a wee TGR This would be the day we f on the new Rally 2 GR Yaris we the event. The car was fully wra event livery and looked very coo out of the truck This was also o working with the French based who would run us for the event. ERace, Charles Deffontaines wa Hyundai engineer and had a lot experience in the sport. Both he team were a great bunch of peo with. It is always interesting wo foreign team as the level of Eng between people and at times th lost in translation. Thankfully th English was good with the team. The test started off well however as this was the start of someth affect a number of us in the person to fall, of all people w wasn’t feeling well.
THE RALLYIN
We soon realised he had managed to soldier on comp in the rally car between bein having naps to get some ene 2pm we had to call it a day a out of fuel and he could no l rally car. One of the Portugu test tried to convince Lewis litre of Coca Cola this would stomach and make him feel will read later and speaking experience, whatever gastro wasn’t letting anything in, no state Lewis was in then pose We then had to start recce o afternoon with two stages. T stages was 100km away back towards Porto and Lewis was in no state to drive. This meant I had to drive the left hand drive manual recce car. The drive didn’t start so well with me going straight to the left hand side of the road It wasn’t until Lewis opened his sho the cor ma
By Tuesday and the first full day of recce Lewis was starting to feel better. Harry (his brother) and Nicholas (his uncle) had also arrived in Porto to help support us during the event. Lewis’ fiancée Cassie was already there helping us prepare. The first full day of recce saw us head south of Porto to the Coimbra region in the middle of Portugal. We had to drive 2hrs south just to get to the start of the first stage. One thing I haven’t mentioned yet is how great Portuguese drivers are on the freeways. They actually keep right when not overtaking. You sure as hell don’t want to be in the fast lane as the cars in that lane are doing anywhere between 140 and 180km/hr. Funny thing is there are no speed cameras and the police are in the slow lane watching these cars pass them without a care in the world. That 2hr trip south was actually only 1hr 35min with various stints in the fast lane! Recce went will without any problems although during the ad now overing. of recce. orth east and of these est stages ew notes ce was oads were 90km/hr. ite app e it does /hr. The s a lot of vent many of the wo weeks ompeted hem. victim of and out.
That left just Harry and I trying not to get the inevitable!
SHAKEDOWN
Thursday morning was shakedown On the first run we stalled on the start losing a few seconds. The second run we had a clean stage and the feeling was good. The tyres you use on shakedown in a WRC count towards your allocation so it’s best to try and preserve the tyres as you will need them later in the event. The last part of the shakedown stage uses a rally cross circuit When you enter that part of the stage the crowd is incredible. There was so many people watching. Once shakedown was finished it was time to head 2hrs south again to Coimbra where the ceremonial start was. If you haven’t already work out there is a lot of driving in this event. From the ceremonial start we then had to drive another 50km to the coastal town of Figueria da Foz for SS1, a tarmac super special that just destroyed everyone ’ s tyres.
THE RALLY PROPER
Friday was the first full day of the rally with stages in the southern Coimbra region with a remote tyre fitting zone in the middle of the day and then a big drive back to Porto for a service. The day didn’t start so well. At 5am the gastro bug had finally reached me. There was concern I wouldn’t be able to start the day given how sick the other three were with the same bug and a long day of rallying ahead. I managed to sip on water and arrive at the parc ferme time control ready to start. Whilst it wasn’t a pleasant feeling inside the car there was no other option. I now understood how Lewis felt a few days earlier!
Once again it was a long 100km drive from parc ferme to the first stage of the day. When we arrived we were informed that the stage had been cancelled due to two accidents so we were redirected to SS3. Finally we got to start the first real stage of the event, a tight twisty stage in the hills above Coimbra. The last part of the stage was very cool with hairpin after hairpin as the stage winded down the mountain. The next two stages were completely different. Whilst still high up in the mountains they were open, cresty and fast. There were spectators everywhere however two thirds of the way through SS4 the car lost power. We stopped and reset the system and it started again however as we would discover on SS5 we lost all power and we had to park the car for the day. In the end it turned out to be a throttle pedal issue. Once the team mechanic turned up he was able to identify the issue relatively quickly and fixed the issue on the spot and was able to drive the car out of the stage. This was rather annoying but that is rallying. When doing events like this it is so important to have good logistical support. Having Harry, Nicholas and Cassie there helped Lewis and I just focus on the event. When we were stuck in the stage they and the team swung into action to get Lewis and I out of there and the team dealt with the logistics of getting the car back to Porto ready to start the next day.
Day 2 of the event was the longest day of the rally from a competitive point of view. There was 150km of stages including the longest at 37km. Having retired on the first loop of stages the day before gave me an opportunity to sleep and rest. By Saturday morning I had recovered from the gastro bug although my voice was a little second hand. We had a clean day with no issues. The amount of European drivers that had issues, mainly from throwing their cars off the road was crazy. They seem to have a “win it or bin it” attitude however as we discovered the level of competition between those drivers is very high. The highlight of the day was our second pass through the Amarante stage, the longest at 37km which took a bit over 26min to complete. This stage had a great mix of tight twisty sections along with tarmac and cobble stone parts. By the end of the stage not only did the tyres have nothing left in them both drivers had nothing left in the tank either. The event was very well run and organised. One thing that we had never experienced was getting police escorts on the liaisons to help get us through the crazy crowds and traffic. Without their help stopping traffic and allowing us through crews would have been late to every stage. By the time we put the car into Parc Ferme that night and got back to our accommodation we only had 5 hours before we had to be up to start the final day of the event.
The last day was a loop of two stages repeated with a regroup in between. One of the stages was the famous Fafe stage. This stage has so much history and so many spectators. There was nowhere along the 11km of road where there wasn’t spectators. The famous jump is right at the end of the stage so as you progress through the stage the crowds get bigger and bigger. What a lot of people don’t know is there is an even bigger jump halfway through the stage. On the second pass through the stage the car in front of us must have carried a bit too much speed. As we went over this jump there was a Ford Fiesta Rally 2 car on its roof in the middle of the road There were drivers still crashing their cars on the last stage of the event! Getting to the end of the event was a big relief. Whilst it wasn’t the result we wanted it was still a huge learning curve and an amazing experience. An experience that we will never forget.
THANK YOUS
Competing in a WRC event in Europe is not a cheap exercise. Lewis and I were very thankful to the sponsors that helped make it happen. We had great support from Luke Anear and SafteyCulture, Toyota Australia, Neal Bates Motorsport, Shamrock Haulage and Damesa Industries. Without this support this experience wouldn’t have happened. The car we used in Portugal is now on its way back to Australia where Lewis and I are looking forward using it at Rally Queensland.
ANTHONY MCLOUGHLIN
(2699)
O T A G POV
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Former BRISPORT editor, Tony Jewels gives us his firsthand insights into the Monaco Grand Prix.
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$ A U S 1 4 0 0 e a c h f o r a g r a n d s t a n d s e a t
w a s t o o m u c h o f a h i l l t o c l i m b f o r
e i t h e r o f u s .
T h e d a y b e f o r e h a d b e e n s u c h a
w o n d e r f u l e x p e r i e n c e w h i c h h a d
j u s t i f i e d a l l t h e e f f o r t i n g e t t i n g t o
M o n a c o i n t h e f i r s t p l a c e . W o u l d
s p e n d i n g a n a d d i t i o n a l $ 1 4 0 0 e a c h
h a v e b e e n j u s t i f i e d , w a s t h e q u e s t i o n
w e n e e d e d t o a s k o u r s e l v e s .
W e s p e n t t h e r e s t o f t h e m o r n i n g
s o a k i n g i n t h e a t m o s p h e r e , m i n g l i n g
w i t h t h e c r o w d s f r o m a l l o v e r t h e
w o r l d , c o n s i d e r i n g w h e t h e r t o b u y
t h e A u $ 3 4 0 R e d B u l l o r M c L a r e n T -
s h i r t s , b u t t h e n d r i v i n g t h e 4 5 0 K m
b a c k t o w a t c h t h e r a c e a t h o m e o n t v .
R o s i n e h a d b e e n c o r r e c t , w h e n
g r o w i n g u p i n N i c e , a m e r e 2 0 m i n s
f r o m M o n a c o , s h e h a d s u r m i s e d t h a t
t h e b e s t w a y t o a c t u a l l y w a t c h t h e
M o n a c o r a c e , w a s o n t v . T h o u g h ,
b e c a u s e s h e h a d r e g u l a r l y a t t e n d e d
t h e G P ( w h e n y o u c o u l d s t i l l g e t f r e e
a c c e s s t o R o c h e r ) s h e h a d o m i t t e d
t h e p a r t a b o u t t h e a t m o s p h e r e , t h e
n o i s e , t h e e x c i t e m e n t . T h e s e a r e t h e
t h i n g s t h a t s h o u l d a l w a y s b e k e e p i n g
t h e M o n a c o G P o n p e o p l e ’ s b u c k e t
l i s t s . W e s p e n t p a r t o f S a t u r d a y
a f t e r n o o n w i t h a G e r m a n v i s i t o r w h o
t o l d u s t h a t h e h a d a t t e n d e d a t l e a s t
o n c e , e v e r y G P t r a c k i n E u r o p e f o r a
r o u n d o f F 1 . H e h a d t h i s t i m e b r o u g h t
h i s d a u g h t e r t o h e r f i r s t e v e r G P a n d
I a s k e d h i m w h y , l i v i n g f r o m
s o m e w h e r e c l o s e t o t h e D a n i s h
b o r d e r , h e h a d c h o s e n M o n a c o t o
i n t r o d u c e h i s d a u g h t e r t o F 1 . A s
L e C l e r c a n d S a i n z r o a r e d b y b e l o w h e
m e r e l y o p e n e d h i s h a n d s a n d p o i n t e d .
T B a n d I b o t h u n d e r s t o o d c o m p l e t e l y .
T o n y J e w e l s a n d T o n y B e s t
…THAT’S A BIG 10-4 FOR NEW RADIOS
During May, the BSCC were able to secure new radios for the club. With the Queensland round of the Australian Rally Championship taking place in Gympie in the last weekend of June, we were very happy that through the generosity of Batchfire Resources all event officials strategically placed around the course will now have direct communications with our Headquarters based out of the showgrounds at Gympie during the entire event.
This is an enormous plus for the Club as it brings an added safety measure for officials, competitors and the public alike during the weekend. There will be some 98 radios in use during the event. This in turn meets all of the safety requirements of our governing body Motorsport Australia to ensure the safety of all participants, during all of our events into the future.
We have built another 62 timber boxes to house the radios and will utilise many others supplied by Batchfire Resources to replace our aging fleet of existing radios. The many spare parts and auxiliary equipment will also be used to supplement and replace old wiring looms, aerials, speakers etc in the current stock of radios, some of which are 35 yrs old.
We must also thank Neil Sutherland (Sully) from MST Global for facilitating the transfer of the radios and auxiliary equipment to the club.
On behalf of the Club we would like to extend our thanks to Batchfire Resources for their donation.
NOVICE nine
With Mitchell Plant
We ask a QRC Novice 9 questions about the season ahead.
The Plant brothers, Mitchell and Brent, are on a mission. After a less than desirable start to the ‘24 season, they’re back on the road and looking strong. We sit down with driver, Mitchell for the Novice 9.
1. What got you into rallying?
MITCHELL PLANT: I've been involved in rally since I was 10 yrs old Started off as an official with my dad and his friends operating stages for club events, ARC and WRC events, and servicing for Shaun Dragona for the past 11 years I definitely caught the rallying bug and wanted to start competing I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to buy one of the Dasha Racing built excels
2. How has it been so far? I’ve really enjoyed competing in the QRC so far Slowly getting more and more competitive, whilst finding the best balance between speed and mechanical sympathy I've met so many new people along the way, always willing to help out in any way they can
3 What are your rallying goals?
One day I would like to win the Junior and 2wd Queensland Rally Championship, then eventually to a 4wd and challenge for outright wins
4 What is your vehicle? 1995 Hyundai Excel
5. Do you know its history?
It was originally a single cam engine, but after some trouble in the first few events we found that it was down on compression and decided to twin cam swap it. This car was built by The Dragona's in 2007 and was rallied until 2011. I purchased it in 2021 and have tried to compete in almost every QLD rally since.
6. Who is your Motorsport idol? Sebastian Ogier
7. Is there a particular event you’d love to compete in one day?
I would love to go overseas and compete in Rally Finland one day.
8. Anyone you’d like to give a shout-out to?
I'd like to do a shout out to Craig Plant (my dad) for always keeping me going and for always being willing to help Shaun Dragona for getting me involved in rallying and helping me get ready for competition Shaun Gill for going above and beyond to get the car fixed from the off we had from the last event
9. Lastly, if had to choose between $1 million and your dream rallycar, what colour would the rallycar be?
I'd have to choose the 1 Million then buy my dream rally car, it would be a 2005 Subaru WRX STI painted World Rally Blue
@ b r i s b a n e s p o r t i n g c a r c l u b
@ b r i s b a n e s p o r t i n g c a r c l u b
BSCC Buddies
Brisbane Sporting Car Club Ltd is: Brisport Magazine
All correspondence to:
Brisbane Sporting Car Club Unit 16 - 23 Ashtan Place
Banyo QLD 4014
Board of Directors
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Board Members
Tony Kabel
Craig Porter
Judy Foster
Kevin Lefever
Barry Neuendorff
Malcolm Bartolo
John Coleman
Sam Donovan
Other Office Bearers
Motorsport Australia Delegate
Membership Officer
Social Media/ Brisport Editor
Peter Flynn
Margaret Mackay
Sam Donovan
Phone: (07) 3267 7647
Email:
info@bsccasnau
sdonovan@bsccasnau
Website: bsccasnau
Facebook:
facebook.com/BrisbaneSportingCarClub
Instagram: @brisbanesportingcarclub
If you ’ ve got something to contribute to the magazine we’d love to hear from you
All correspondence to:
Brisbane Sporting Car Club Unit 16 - 23 Ashtan Place