This weekend marks the start of the Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland, a significant event as the EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) hits a remarkable milestone in Gympie.
Since its establishment in 1968, the ARC is set to reach an incredible 350 rounds, featuring 23 registered national crews competing across 193 challenging kilometres divided into 14 stages.
ARC Director Adrian Coppin shared his enthusiasm about the championship reaching this milestone this weekend.
“Achieving 350 rounds is a pivotal moment for the ARC, which underscores the championship’s enduring legacy. I take immense pride in being part of its current iteration,” said Coppin.
“Over the years, countless individuals have contributed to the championship’s success, and we are fortunate to be a part of it now.”
Since the inaugural season of the ARC, there have been numerous memorable moments, with many renowned names and brands having participated in this thrilling championship.
“What better way to commemorate this milestone than at an event that has played a significant role in the ARC’s long and vibrant history – having previously captured the world’s attention as an international event and consistently delivering exceptional experiences for teams, drivers, and fans,” Coppin added.
Rally Queensland has quickly become a favourite among competitors and fans throughout the ARC season, with a robust field gearing up to kick off the action.
A title battle is already beginning to shape up after the first two rounds of the season. Kiwi legends Hayden Paddon and John Kennard are eager to build on their inaugural ARC victory earned at May’s Forest Rally.
The duo piloting Hyundai i20N Rally2 cars are not the only international entrants making an appearance in Gympie. Irish competitor Patrick O’Brien will make his debut alongside West Australian Shane Farrell in a high-spec Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Leading the Australian contingent will be the two Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia GR Yaris Rally2 entries from Harry and Lewis Bates, both of whom are in need of a crucial win in their championship bid – the former still seeking his first victory of the year.
Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall, representing Pedders Suspension and Brakes in their Skoda Fabia Rally2, along with the Hyundai i20 Rally2 driven by IntelliSpatial Fleetcare Racing’s Alex Rullo and Steve Glenney, will also be vying for top positions.
In addition to the overall competition, the WOLF Production Cup is drawing significant interest, with Josh Wiedman and Clayton Hoy hoping to secure another win.
Meanwhile, reigning class champion Bodie Reading will kick off his title defence this weekend, in what is his first outing of the year.
Fans can stay updated on live results for each stage, as well as cup standings and overall rankings throughout the event, by visiting the Subaru Results Hub on rally.com.au at any time over the weekend.
Four stages will be live-streamed during the rally via the EROAD Australian Rally Championship’s YouTube and Facebook pages, and for the first time, on Instagram. Below are the estimated start times for each stage:
- SS1 Muster 1 – 9:02am AEST
- SS7 Kandanga 2 – 2:29pm AEST
- SS9 Brooyar Loop 1 – 8:58am AEST
- SS14 Brooyar Loop 2 – 1:09pm AEST
- End of Rally – 3:00pm AEST
For the complete Entry List and information for spectators planning to attend, please refer to the links.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
