Hyundai Rallies the Team

With the windscreen crushed in, the roof half crushed in, we drove it through to thunderous applause.

Adelaide was littered with rally cars in late November last year, with the impressive vehicles seemingly on every street corner.

The 2021 Shannons Adelaide Rally was as big as ever, with 400 cars participating in two stages on each of its four days.

Drivers participated in over 230 competitive kilometres, making it the largest event of its type in the world in 2021.

This was the first time that Hyundai entered a team into the rally, headed by Paul and Luke Page from Peter Page Hyundai, Elizabeth.

“Myself and my brother did the rally as an individual Hyundai i30 N for the first time in March (2021), because it was delayed through COVID-19 – it was supposed to be in October last year,” Paul said.

“It came around pretty quickly this year, we decided to put a branded group together.

“For us it was excellent, we got 11 Hyundai N Performance vehicles together. We put the word out on the N Performance of South Australia Facebook page, so the majority of them came from that space, we were just rapt to be a part of it.”

The rally stages were different day-to-day, taking advantage of the many twisting roads around the Adelaide Hills.

“Myself and my service manager led the group, and my brother followed the group,” said Paul.

“We had to keep them all together, because between stages you’ve got to drive through the streets of Adelaide or through the hills, so you can’t get lost because you’re just driving in amongst traffic.

“When you get to the next stage, all the road’s blocked off – then, 3-2-1-go hard! We follow each other in four second gaps.”

Lead by the striking Performance Blue car, the cars in the team were a mix of the Hyundai N Performance range, with i30s, i20s and Fastbacks.

However, one car from the team was a stand-out.

Also participating was an ‘old school’ Hyundai Excel race car, which regularly competes in the Hyundai Excel Racing series.

“He joined us for a bit of the old school, among the new school Hyundai vehicles,” said Paul.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Excel.

“On the last stage of the last day, the Excel − the actual racing car – just clipped a little bit of cliff face and a bit of gravel, and flipped on its roof,” he recalled.

“Luckily, he had a roll cage. From a safety perspective, it had racing seats, it had proper harnesses, and as much as it looked a bit messy, he was fine, if a bit shaken.”

But the Adelaide Rally hadn’t yet seen the end of the Excel.

“It was driveable, because it had just flipped on its roof, so the suspension was good, the engine was fine,” Paul explained.

“He got towed down to that final stage, jumped in the car, and drove through the finish line to a rousing reception.”

Being the last car to finish the race on the last day, there were plenty of people crowding the finish line in Rundle Street to watch the beat-up Hyundai come in.

“With the windscreen crushed in, the roof half crushed in, we drove it through to thunderous applause. That was a lot of fun.

“On the downside he had an accident, but on the positive, he was safe, and he got to drive through the finish line on Rundle Street with a lot of people watching,” Paul recalled.

But the Hyundai team weren’t just participating for the racing and rally driving.

“For us it was about the whole package,” said Paul.

“We took all our team out to dinner on the Friday night, and then again on the Sunday night.

“We entertained them with food and drink, but not too much drink as they had to jump in the car the next day!”

The Adelaide Rally resembles a festival in the way it caters for spectators and brings the drivers together at the end of each day.

The Gouger Street party is always a highlight, 2021 being no exception.

The street is blocked with 130 exotic rally cars, putting on a show for spectators who are able to take their pick of the many restaurants along the strip.

Live music and entertainment created a buzz of excitement on the night – the atmosphere at the East End finale was no different.

The presentations, displays, children’s activities, and fireworks drew in massive crowds.

Paul recommends this event to MTA members thinking of entering the rally car scene.

“There’s plenty of time to get organised, and get your car ready, get all the safety equipment organised,” he explained.

“Lock into either a racing group or a tour group, where you can get used to what’s involved.

“Personally, I think it’s just a fantastic initiative, a lot of work goes into the rally, and the atmosphere was electric.”

Luke would like to acknowledge and give thanks to the large numbers of volunteers whose time and efforts enabled the event to run smoothly.

Paul added, “I would like to personally thank all the participants in our inaugural Hyundai branded rally as well as the NPSA for assisting, supporting, and promoting the Adelaide Rally in 2021, and we look forward to more collaboration going forward.”

If any members are interested in being part of the Peter Page Hyundai rally team in 2022, Paul recommends registering your interest quickly before the places are all taken, by emailing info@peterpagehyundai.com.au.

“In simple terms, it’s a great event, promoting car enthusiasts, but for Peter Page Hyundai, it’s an opportunity to get your Hyundai N on the road for some fun and excitement!” Paul said.

WATCH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzFhBWyMPHo&ab_channel=MotorTradeAssociationofSA%2FNT