SPEEDREAD
DECEMBER 2024
RECORDBREAKING AMOS
Dean Amos added to his impressive hill climb resume with another victory at the Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship at Bryant Park, Victoria.
SPEED TO KICK
Photo by Seven70 Photography
COMMEMORATING OUR 2024 CLASS CHAMPIONS
While Mel and Liam Brandle celebrated their first BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship crown this year, there are plenty of class champions within the AORC from season 2024.
EXTREME 4WD
Max Bradley and Sean Beck made the most of the ‘points and a half’ format at Kalgoorlie, with 900 points on offer instead of the usual 600 – the pair vaulted up the leaderboard to win Extreme 4WD for the year in one hit.
EXTREME 2WD
Beau Robinson and Shane Hutt were in the box seat to win the outright title for much of the year, until reliability issues plagued the team across the Gold City 450 and Kalgoorlie Desert Race.
The West Australians though walk away with the Extreme 2WD class crown, and perhaps more importantly their first Finke Desert Race victory in 2024.
PERFORMANCE 2WD
Persistence and loyalty paid off for Michael Shipton and Paul Chorlton. Bringing their Performance 2WD to all five rounds of the AORC in 2024, there were duly rewarded with the class honours in the process.
SPORTSLITE
Paul Tinga and Daniel Kelsey were also rewarded for making the trek to three out of five rounds in 2024, the most of anyone in Sportslite, to also win the 2024 class.
Photos: Dakar Press TeamAustralia
Photo: Dakar Press Team - Australia
Photo: Dakar Press Team - Australia
Photo: Dakar Press Team - Australia
Photo: Dan Thompson
PRODUCTION 4WD
Taking on 14-time Production 4WD Champion Geoff Pickering, Norman Parker and Mark Robinson’s reliable Toyota Land Cruiser delivered the goods for the pair to win Production 4WD in 2024 –taking on four out of five rounds in 2024, and victorious in three.
PRO BUGGY
The Pro Buggy honours were split in 2024, with Jared Percival an outside chance to even with the outright title on the final day in Kalgoorlie if disaster had struck the Brandles. In the end, Jared Percival would be left content with Driver honours in Pro Buggy in 2024. Last year’s SXS Champion Navigator, Mitch Aucote was awarded the Pro Buggy Navigator crown in his and James Cook’s first season in the class.
PROLITE
This season was the first time since the father-daughter team of Matt and Kerri Martin in 2017 took out the outright AORC title aboard a Prolite. The family spirit continued in 2024, with the father-son pairing of Mel and Liam Brandle also victorious in both the outright AORC crown and Prolite class title.
SUPER 1650
Super 1650 honours were also split between two crews, with Brad Geraghty the victorious driver after taking on four out of five rounds in 2024 – and Cameron Chambers the winning navigator.
SXS SPORT
Queensland’s Ross Newman also shares the SXS Sport class honours, with Newman the winning driver and Tasmanian Jack Briggs the class champion navigator.
SXS PRO
Brothers James and Michael Mogford were victorious in the Transportable Shade Sheds SXS Championship, and were naturally the AORC SXS Pro champions.
Photo: Dan Thompson
Photo: Dakar Press Team - Australia
Photos: Dakar Press Team - Australia
Photo: Dakar Press Team - Australia
NOWELL TAKES
SECOND KHANACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP TRIUMPH
Barry Nowell secured the 2024 Motorsport Australia Khanacross Championship in spectacular fashion, racing to his second title around Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania.
Nowell previously won the Khanacross Championship in South Australia’s 2022 edition, and was hungry for the win again in 2024.
Hosted by the Motor Sports Club of Tasmania in November, the weekend was held on a mixture of tarmac and gravel surfaces. Nowell led his Baxtec 23 to victory as the only non-Tasmanian driver of the weekend, representing the Geelong Motorsport Club.
“I previously have won the 2022
Championship in South Australia and came sixth outright at the 2023 Queensland event. I had also contested the Championship in 2013, 2014 and 2019 with no wins. So I was hungry for another win,” Nowell said.
I was hungry for another win
“My main preparation for this event was developing a suitable tyre and suspension combination that would perform reasonably well on both surfaces.
“As I was coming to Symmons Plains for the first time, I took every opportunity to become familiar with the tracks, doing the track walks when available, and intently watching other competitors complete the courses.
“Every test run was unique, sometimes run in opposite directions but
also with extra loops or chicanes, and different sections of the gravel track being utilised.”
Behind Nowell, it was Leigh Ford of the North West Car Club and Motor Sports Club Of Tasmania’s Lyndon Kettle who finished behind in Outright second and third place respectively, with a minute separating the top three competitors.
“After the first three runs of the event I was in fourth place, so I had some
Photos: Nathan Russell
work to do. Some of my competitors also suffered some bad luck with time penalties and reliability issues, which allowed me to hold the lead during the second day," Nowell said.
“Being in the lead just increased the pressure not to make any mistakes, it was a great relief when I crossed the finish line of the last test.
“The Championship in Tasmania presented a unique challenge,
where competitors had to switch between gravel and bitumen surfaced tracks multiple times on the same day and tyres were limited to road-based tyres only.
"A total of 18 tests were run, resulting in over 33 minutes of runtime for competitors, which was an impressive amount for a field of 50 cars. Overall, a very challenging and well run event."
Beyond the Outright title, there were many more victories to be had across various classes. Class B was won by Bradley Trenham, while Class C was awarded to second outright winner, Leigh Ford, Class D was won by Jason Street, Class F and Outright by Barry Nowell, and the competitive Class G won by third outright place-getter, Lyndon Kettle.
In the Junior category, it was Maklyn Midgley who was quickest over the
weekend, wining the category and finishing 27th overall. Meanwhile, Joanne Woolley topped the Female category and finishing 38th outright..
Photos: Nathan Russell
RECORD-BREAKING NATIONAL MOTORKHANA PERFORMANCE
The 2024 Motorsport Australia Motorkhana Championship enjoyed stellar performances from a diverse array of competitors and cars.
Hosted by the Mini Car Club of WA at CARCO.com.au Raceway in Western Australia, the 51st running of the event featured some of the nation’s most skilled motorkhana drivers, all contesting for the highly desired title.
After a strong weekend of competition across twelve tests, Scott Bennett claimed the Championship trophy once again with an outright total of 273.64, making it his seventh overall win. He also takes the Class F win whilst overcoming some familiar rivals in the process.
new Australian record times set by four different competitors.”
Quite a few of us were trading fastest times all day with five new Australian record times set by four different competitors
Close behind Bennett was Aaron Wuillemin, the regular high scorer was on the brink of adding another title to his impressive collection with an outright total of 275.81. Completing the podium in the outright competition was the eldest son of Scott, William Bennett. William won the 2024 Western Australia Motorkhana Championship this year after a consistent year of competing.
various classes. Class A was won by Simon Ridgewell, while Class B saw dominance from Jurgen Lunsmann taking the win and Patrick and Michael Dufty finishing second and third respectively. In Class C, Peter Marsh claimed victory, while Ian Towart took the win in Class D and Tristan Pierre in Class E.
Meanwhile, Aaron Wuillemin who had missed last year’s event due to competing in Malaysia for the FIA Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship, took the win in Class G.
The day also recognised the women and junior competitors, with drivers awarded for topping the outright and production categories for both groups.
“It is usually a very tight competition, and this year was no different,” Bennett said.
“Quite a few of us were trading fastest times all day with five
The Bennett family was well represented throughout the event, with Scott Bennett’s father Ross Bennett, his sons William and James, with the latter finishing second in Junior Outright and his daughter Amy Bennett who won the Lady Outright competition.
Beyond the Outright title and the Bennett name, there were many more victories to be had across
The women’s competition saw Amy Bennett emerging as the Lady Outright victor. In the Lady Production category, Eloise Meehan claimed the top spot whilst also finding herself in second for Junior Production.
Amongst the Junior categories, Hamish East-Wuillemin topped the competition, and Cameron Matthews took the win in Junior Production.
Photo: Fred Goh
ANOTHER RECORD WIN FOR AMOS IN AUSTRALIAN HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP
Dean Amos added to his impressive hill climb resume with another victory at the Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship at Bryant Park, Victoria.
The Gippsland Car Club hosted the event on the final weekend in October, and Amos again broke Bryant Park’s outright track record of the Clockwise Figure 8 track during his campaign - beating Brett Haywood’s 2011 record by almost a second with an impressive time of 48.59s.
between the two being Hayward's 50.39s on his seventh run.
It's a huge honour breaking the track record at Bryant Park
Behind Amos, Brett Hayward and 2022 Australian Hill Climb Champion Dean Tighe rounded out the podium. Neither were able to catch Amos' blistering times, with the best time
Amos set sub-50s times in four of his eight runs, leading him to post a 1.80s gap to his closest competitors overall, safely securing him his second title in the Australian Hill Climb Championship.
“The preparation before the Australian title was busy.
I had Supercheap Auto come on board at the last minute and had to get the car stickered the day before we left for Bryant Park,” Amos said.
“Their support helped me make it to the Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship.
Photos: Seven70 Photography
“Winning at Bryant Park felt amazing. It's considered one of the best and hardest hill climb tracks in Australia.”
“It's a huge honour breaking the track record at Bryant Park. Brett Haywood had the record and is an all-time great. I have won the Australian Hill Climb Championship twice, 2023 and 2024, both times setting a new track record.”
The 87-strong field offered a stellar weekend, with Sarah Bail as the fastest female of the weekend, her quickest time of 68.25s slotting her into 76th overall.
Amos will now look forward to 2025 with a focus on winning another title.
“2025 will be much the same focus on the Australian Hill Climb Championship. See if we can make it a hat-trick,” Amos stated.
“I need to thank my father Glen. He does the preparation and setup on the car and without his knowledge and dedication, I wouldn't have won the two Australian Championships.”
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Photos: Seven70 Photography
ABLE ADRIAN AN ALL-ROUND ASSET
From Clerk of the Course to waving flags trackside, Adrian Flynn is at home in any role.
A humble South Australian, Adrian is a highly dedicated official and a worthy recipient of this December’s Supercheap Auto Official Superstar award.
Normally the Clerk of the Course for many South Australian Circuit events, Adrian is quick to see a need and fill it. One example was at a recent race event, where Adrian volunteered to go trackside to cover a gap in the flag-waving roster.
Alongside his dedication to big race days, Adrian is usually first to put up his hand to volunteer at
club-level events; filling the ranks to ensure there's enough officials for the event to be a success.
Adrian also serves as the SA/NT State Council chair, meaning many hours of his week are filled with volunteering for state-based motorsport.
To recognise Adrian's unwavering dedication to motorsport officiating, he will receive a $100 Supercheap Auto gift card, commemorative pin, and certificate.
To begin your journey in becoming a Motorsport Australia Official like Adrian, sign up through the Motorsport Australia website and complete the prerequisite training courses to obtain your licence.
Do you know someone like Adrian; a Motorsport Australia official who deserves to be recognised for going above and beyond their duty?
Nominate now and your friend could win a $100 Supercheap Auto gift card, commemorative pin, and certificate — with their story shared in Speed Read.
Submit your nomination to Speed Read
ADRIAN FLYNN
CANBERRA FESIVAL OF SPEED TO KICK OFF 2025
One of the first major events off the ranks for 2025, the Canberra Festival of Speed is raring to go for it's second ever event.
Labelled at motorsport’s ultimate garden party, the Canberra Festival of Speed has undergone a stack of work to make the event bigger and better in 2025, building on the success of the inaugural 2024 event.
Taking place on 25-26 January at Thoroughbred Park, the Canberra event is a short-course sprint event for openwheel race cars, exotic historic racers, and classic Australian touring cars.
improvements to last year's course, including widening of several corners and a doubling of the track width at the chicane section.
Upgrades have been made to improve the experience for the drivers particularly for those in exotic open-wheeled race cars that can be significantly wider than road vehicles.
These enhancements will improve the overall experience for spectators and entrants alike
Spectators will also benefit from some event layout changes, as well as the addition of two new spector bridges, allowing greater access to the circuit infield and minimising interruptions to circuit action.
Canberra Festival of Speed Director Peter Bakavgas spoke highly of the course and paddock upgrades.
Based on entrant feedback the Festival is boasting some major
Accessibility for those with limited mobility will be maintained via groundlevel access in between vehicle runs.
“These enhancements will improve the overall experience for spectators and entrants alike, by enabling them to demonstrate the performance of their precious machines with greater comfort within the barriers.
Photo:
PHOTOX
Photo: MT MEDIA
“This significant investment reflects our commitment to growing this event and substantiating its positioning as motorsport’s ultimate garden party.”
While entries to the event are still open, a host of iconic vehicles and competitors are locked in for the 2025 Festival.
Supercar entries include the Ferrari F40, Ferrari 288 GTO, Lamborghini Murcielago.
Legendary vehicles from Australian motorsport history include the
very first Tom Walkinshaw Racingbuilt VL SS Group A race car, plus Group C, Porsche Cup, an Australian Sports Car Championship winner along with many other top-echelon race machines.
Open-wheel race cars will include Formula 3000, Formula 3, Formula 4, and the new X1 category.
Australian rally heroes Neal, Harry, and Lewis Bates will demonstrate global and Australian rally royalty with Harry’s current Australian Rally Championship-
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winning Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, plus Neal’s iconic ARC and Targa Tasmania-winning ST205 Celica GTFour and RA40 Celica classic rally car.
The Canberra Festival of Speed will take place on 25-26 January 2025 at Thoroughbred Park, ACT.
Learn more about the 2025 Canberra Fesival of Speed at canberrafestivalofspeed.com
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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA NATIONAL AWARDS LOCKED IN FOR FEBRUARY
The Motorsport Australia National Awards Gala Dinner, presented by Shannons Insurance will be held on Sunday, 23 February 2025 in Sydney.
Coinciding with the opening round of the Repco Supercars Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park, the event will take place at Doltone House, Western Sydney, on Sunday night. This allows attendees to enjoy the Supercars round and celebrate the 2024 season with the wider motorsport community.
The evening will be filled with celebration, recognising the outstanding achievements of 2024 and honouring the community that makes the sport thrive.
Tickets for the event will go on sale shortly, with more details to follow.
Outright National Championship and Series winners and merit-based award recipients, such as Australian Motorsport Official of the Year and Life Membership, will soon receive a formal invitation to attend the awards ceremony to accept their 2024 awards.
This night is also a great opportunity for us to celebrate the motorsport community whether as officials, competitors or team members
Motorsport Australia CEO Sunil Vohra encouraged people to save the date in their diaries as the sport comes together for the annual gala.
“I’m looking forward to attending the Motorsport Australia National Awards Gala as we recognise and celebrate the success stories from 2024,” Vohra said.
“This night is also a great opportunity for us to celebrate the broader motorsport community whether as officials, competitors or team members. It’s an honour for so many of us to gather for such a momentous evening.”
The Motorsport Australia National Awards Gala Dinner, presented by Shannons Insurance will take place at Doltone House, Western Sydney, on Sunday, 23 February 2025 at 7pm AEDT.
More information about the National Awards can be found out at motorsport.org.au/awards
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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA LEADS GLOBAL ESPORTS TRAINING PROGRAM
Motorsport Australia has successfully delivered a comprehensive twoday Esports Training Program in Singapore, hosted by Motor Sports Singapore (MSS), in partnership with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
The world-first event welcomed representatives from nine FIA member bodies across the Asia-Pacific region, including Automobile Association of Bangladesh, Automobile Association Philippines, Ceylon Motor Sports Club, Chinese Taipei Motor Sports, Motorsports Association of Malaysia,
MotorSport New Zealand Inc., Nepal Automobiles’ Association and Royal Automobile Association of Thailand, with an agenda centred on the importance and relevance of esports and the appetite for growth of esports in the global motorsport community.
Lead by Motorsport Australia’s Motorsports Events Manager, David Mori, the program provided a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Key topics included licensing and membership models for esports, event broadcasting and promotion, and officiating frameworks to ensure fairness and consistency in competitions.
that while on-site esports events are certainly more complex and require significant investment by the promoter, they remain cheaper to run than mainstream live motorsport as we know it.
In today’s world, esports can reach billions of people for minimal financial outlay, building strong commercial value
David Mori highlighted the relatively “low cost” incentive in delivering an online esports event, also noting
“Also, unlike mainstream motorsports, esports are not rooted in any region or culture, so it can have broader global appeal,” Mori said.
“In today’s world, esports can reach billions of people for minimal financial outlay, building strong commercial value.”
Attendees also participated in hands-on workshops which explored planning and executing esports events and live race operations simulations.
Photos: Motor Sports Singapore
To better support successful execution, following the immersive event planning and delivery simulations, participants were able to build on concepts learned during the training and how to apply them.
A highlight of the program was the collaborative session where participants began developing a roadmap for a proposed Regional F4 Asia-Pacific Esports Championship. This initiative aims to unite FIA member bodies in the region under a shared esports strategy, leveraging the lessons learned during the training.
Charlie Barlow is Motorsport Australia’s Development Manager, leading the country’s esports program into an exciting period of growth.
“A global collaboration like this serves to increases each ASN’s reach and gives them more confidence to brainstorm ideas, solve existing problems and deliver successful events through proven event models,” Barlow said.
Feedback from MSS, FIA and attendees emphasised the value of the program in advancing esports across the region. The event showcased
Motorsport Australia’s leadership in esports and its commitment to fostering innovation in motorsport.
In 2024, there were six Motorsport Australia Esports National Championships and Cups, including Touring Cars, S5000, Formula 4, Formula Vee, Toyota 86 and GT3.
Any questions regarding Motorsport Australia’s Esports, contact esports@motorsport.org.au
Photos: Motor Sports Singapore
IMPROVED PRODUCTION RETURNS TO PHILLIP ISLAND FOR 2025 NATIONALS
The Improved Production Nationals will return to Phillip Island in 2025 at the prestigious Island Magic on 21-23 November.
The return to the Island was announced on the eve of the 2024 Island Magic by Improved Production Racing Association of Victoria (IPRA Vic) president David Cocks.
Cocks said the last Nationals at Phillip Island in 2016 drew a record number of entries – three grids of cars – and was the single largest category event in Australian motorsport history.
“We are expecting another fantastic turnout in 2025 with competitors from across the country in a variety of different makes and models of cars. The Nationals will showcase what Improved Production racing is all about at what is arguably the best permanent racetrack in the country," Cocks said.
Category stalwart and head of Victoria's nationals committee Gary McKay echoed Cocks’ sentiments about racing at Phillip Island and the outstanding support they have received to make the Nationals a success next year.
"The Phillip Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC) have supported IPRA Victoria’s running of the nationals at Island Magic since 1999,” McKay said.
"When we contacted them to discuss another Nationals event at Island Magic, they didn't hesitate to extend that support to us again for 2025.
They didn't hesitate to extend that support to us again for 2025
“It will be a great time to be a motorsport fan in Victoria with Supercars racing at Sandown the weekend prior to the Nationals, so we’re hoping some interstaters turn their Nationals campaign into a holiday in Victoria with a little bit of motorsport bookending their trip.”
While planning is in the early stages, PIARC and IPRA Victoria are aiming to have dedicated grids for both Under and Over 2-litre cars running alongside several of Island Magic’s other long-standing categories.
"We are also very grateful for the continued support that IPRA receives from category tyre supplier Yokohama, particularly for the Nationals every year.
Expressions of interest are expected to open in the first quarter of 2025 and will attract plenty of interest for separate grids of Under 2 Litre and Over 2 Litre IP cars.
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VICTORIAN CIRCUIT CHAMPIONSHIPS REVEAL SEASON OPENER
MG Car Club Victoria have announced that the first round of the Hugh Gidney Memorial Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships (VSCRC) is locked in for 14-16 February 2025.
The state championship kicks off at Sandown International Motor Raceway, with entries opening from 4 December 2024 and closing on 5 February 2025.
Sandown Raceway is a legendary opener for the 2024 VSCRC, with an enriched history and home to the famous Sandown 500 for the Supercars Championship.
This circuit is 3.1km long with 13 turns, and considered a power circuit due to its long straights.
The VSCRC dates back to 1975 and was originally a one-day event, yet much has evolved over time.
In 2025, participants and spectators can expect a weekend full of racing, with track action taking place from Friday to Sunday.
Qualifying and Racing shall be provided for the following categories: Formula Vee, Formula Ford, Formula Ford 1600, Historic Formula Ford, MG /
Photos: Revved Photography
Invited British Sports Cars, HQ Holden, Improved Production / BMW E30, Sports Sedans, Saloon Cars, Historic Touring Cars, Porsche 944 Challenge, Hyundai Excel, Sports Cars and Vic V8.
Friday comprises of a private practice session, which is optional for drivers and does have an additional fee.
The rest of the weekend consists of Qualifying and Racing, giving drivers the chance to show off their skill and battle it out on the Sandown Circuit.
The weekend will also feature a topnotch range of categories, which will be announced closer to the event.
To enter for Round One of the Hugh Gidney Memorial Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships, visit the Motorsport Australia Event Entry System.
Photo: Revved Photography
AORC CALENDAR LOCKED AND LOADED FOR 2025
The calendar for next year’s Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) has been confirmed, with five rounds to make up the 2025 season. Every round from the 2024 season will return to the calendar seeing the Championship visit five Australian states and territories.
Pooncarie will again host the opening round of the season in April, while the Finke Desert Race retains its regular slot on the calendar on the King’s Birthday weekend in June. The Loveday 400 takes its place in July, followed by the Gold City 450 in August, which then sees the Kalgoorlie Desert Race host the season finale in October.
It’s fantastic to see almost every state and territory in the country hosting a round of the AORC
Motorsport Australia’s newly appointed Off Road Manager, Campbell Smith highlighted that the 2025 calendar provides plenty of opportunities for competitors and fans to be part of an exciting AORC season that promises to be bigger and better, with an uplift in dedicated resources marking a fresh and more focused approach to AORC in 2025.
“It’s fantastic to see almost every state and territory in the country hosting a round of the AORC once again in 2025, a testament to the brilliant work and high standards set in 2024,” Smith said.
Smith is also pleased to see the introduction of medicals for all competitors aged 60 years and over,
Photo: Dan Thompson
Photo: Dakar Press Team - Australia
Photo: Dan Thompson
as recommended by the Motorsport Risk & Safety Committee (MRSC) and supported by the National Medical Advisory Committee (NMAC).
“The health and wellbeing of our competitors is of utmost importance and taking measures to mitigate risk in this sport is a key priority,” said Smith.
“The change also better aligns us with Circuit and Rally categories who work on the same medical requirements.”
Smith added that notifying licence holders of the updated medical requirements well ahead of renewals
aims to reduce the burden on participants, allowing plenty of time for them to get checked by a medical practitioner, and comply.
“We are thrilled with the ongoing support of our competitors and event organisers as we get set for a big year for off road,” Smith added.
1. Pooncarie Desert Dash, NSW: 4–6 April
2. Finke Desert Race, NT: 7–9 June
3. Loveday 400, SA: 25–27 July
4. Gold City 450, QLD: 29–31 August
5. Kalgoorlie Desert Race, WA: 24–26 October
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TASMANIAN GOVERNMENT BOOSTS FUNDING FOR ARC
The Tasmanian Government has confirmed it will provide funding to strengthen the Australian Rally Championship’s presence in Tasmania, starting in 2025.
Minister for Sports and Events Nick Duigan said the Tasmanian Government has always been a strong supporter of the events sector, providing funding to attract, retain and grow events that drive economic growth, tourism and jobs in every region of the State.
“We know driving visitation to our regions is important, and that’s why the Government has committed some $68 million over the next four years to support our events sector.
It’s safe to say the Tasmanian events calendar is looking strong for 2025 and beyond
“We are thrilled to be able to have committed a total of $300,000 to deliver one round of the Australian Rally Championship in Tasmania each year from 2025 to 2027,” Duigan said.
“It’s safe to say the Tasmanian events calendar is looking strong for 2025 and beyond.”
Motorsport Australia CEO Sunil Vohra welcomed the support of the Tasmanian Government towards the Australia Rally Championship.
“The Tasmanian Government’s support of the Australian Rally Championship highlights the region’s strong participation and the Government’s commitment to growing rally in Tasmania,” Vohra said.
“We are excited to have the support of Events Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government to deliver a world-class rally event.”
Motorsport Australia, in partnership with Innate Event Group (IEG), will continue to deliver the Australian Rally Championship, with all six event organisers from 2024 recommitting to the 2025 season.
IEG Director & ARC Championship Manager Adrian Coppin expressed excitement about the Tasmanian Government’s support.
“We’re thrilled to build on the solid foundation already in place, with a focus on delivering an enhanced experience for both spectators and competitors.”
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BACK-TO-BACK ARC TITLES FOR BATES AND TAYLOR
Harry Bates and Coral Taylor have claimed back-to-back Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championships, with victory at the 2024 Buckby Motors Rally Tasmania by 13 seconds ahead of their closest competitors.
With nine championships between the two – Bates with three and Taylor with six – the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia team built themselves a dominant lead from Saturday to clinch the Possum Bourne Memorial Trophy with 398 Championship points.
“Three Championships feels very special, it’s almost surreal the sort of names you’re up there with once you’ve got three,” Bates said.
“It’s been an incredible year, thank you to my amazing team, thanks to Coral Taylor for doing such a great job in the car, and we’re very excited for 2025.”
Behind the 2024 Champions, the battle for the runner-up place came down to the wire between Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin, and Tasmanian Eddie Maguire with co-driver Zak Brakey. The Toyota GR
Yaris of Lewis came out on top for the rally in 2nd, and victory in the Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage, but Eddie Maguire would eventually end the season as runner-up to Harry Bates in the title race.
Maguire also rounded out his and Brakey’s weekend with third overall on home soil, finishing as the top Tasmanians outright.
During Sunday’s opening three stages, it was Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia pairing Lewis Bates and McLoughlin who were fastest, with Harry Bates and Taylor trailing by less than a second across SS11 to SS13. Despite this, they were able to firmly maintain their outright first place position.
Steve Glenney to inch into a top three position in each stage and onto the last podium place for the Buckby Motors Rally Tasmania.
The IntelliSpatial Fleetcare Racing Hyundai i20 Rally2 continued their fight with local driver Maguire and Brakey, only a minute separating the two crews in the outright standings as they headed into the final stages of the 2024 season. Rullo suffered turbo boost issues on the final stage, and limped home dramatically down on power.
It’s almost surreal the sort of names you’re up there with once you’ve got three
With Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall’s retirement from Tasmania due to radiator damage on Saturday, this allowed Alex Rullo and co-driver
In the MainFix Production Cup, Clayton Hoy and Erin Kelly continued their commanding pace into Sunday to also finish well inside the outright top ten. The Mitsubishi crew were fastest in the first two stages on Sunday, but lost time in SS13 and finished second to Bodie Reading and Mark Young. Although they lost some time, Hoy
Photos:
and Kelly had a lengthy lead from their closest competitors in the MainFix Production Cup and clinched rally win for the class. Fellow Tasmanians Aidan Peterson and Mitch Newton joined the final step on the podium to be third in Production Cup.
Reading and Young, after a consistent showing on home soil, clinched back-to-back MainFix Production Cup titles to overtake Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis in the points standings for the season.
In the Junior Cup, Victorians Mitch Garrad and Taylah Murphy built themselves a one-minute buffer between their ARC Junior Cup competitors in the early stages of Sunday. With title rivals Jaidyn and Lucy Gluskie out of contention, it was left to Molly Spalding and
Matthew Dillon to claim runnerup honours for the weekend.
Garrad and Murphy were victorious for the season, victorious as 2024 ARC Junior Cup winners.
In the Trenching Systems Australia 2WD Classic Cup, Jesse Robison and Troy Hutchins came out the gates early to claim SS11 and SS12, but with Jack Monkhouse and Neill Woolley’s major lead from Saturday, the PWS Pipeline and Civil team were able to keep hold of their Cup victory for 2024. Robison and Hutchins finished the weekend as 2WD Classic Cup runnersup, with Tony Oates and Niamh Nairn rounding out the podium.
For the season, fifth in 2WD Classic Cup in Tasmania was enough for Peter Dimmock and Paul Bennett
to win the season ahead of Dave Thompson and Matthew Sanders.
The sole entries in both the ARC 4WD Classic Cup and Subaru WRX Challenge retired early on Saturday but rejoined in the latter parts of the day. Subaru WRX Challenge Cup leaders Glenn Brinkman and Scott Beckwith finished in 29th as the sole WRX Challenge entry, claiming the season crown in the process.
The Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship will begin in 2025 with Rally of Canberra on 21-23 March.
View the Event and final Championship standings at the Subaru Results Hub.
Photos: DMAC Photography
MCLAREN WIN CONSTRUCTORS’ TITLE IN ABU DHABI
McLaren have won their ninth Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, courtesy of a Lando Norris victory and a 10th place finish from Australian Oscar Piastri at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Whilst it was elation for the ‘papaya’ squad, Sunday’s Grand Prix was otherwise a race to forget for Piastri. Starting from the front row alongside Norris, Piastri’s Grand Prix was immediately thrown into chaos with four-time World Champion Max Verstappen attempting to pass down the inside of the Australian into the opening corner of the first lap. Both cars were sent spinning and fortunate to avoid any major damage. Verstappen was handed a 10-second time penalty for his part in the collision. Verstappen’s Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Perez would bring out the Virtual Safety Car, after being hit by the Sauber of Valtteri Bottas and was left with no option but to park up at the side of the track.
At the restart, Piastri would then clip the rear of Franco Colapinto’s Williams and find himself also with a 10-second penalty for causing that collision, with Colapinto forced to pit after incurring a puncture.
It was a lights-to-flag victory for Norris however, and despite Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc joining Norris
on the podium, the McLaren victory and Piastri’s solitary point was more than enough to seal the 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship for McLaren over Ferrari. It is McLaren’s first Constructors’ crown since 1998 – coincidentally neither Norris nor Piastri were born when McLaren last secured the team’s honour. Norris would ultimately end up as runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship with 374 points to Verstappen’s 437, with Piastri ending the season in fourth with 292 points. Piastri was ninth in his debut season in 2023 with just 97.
Whilst it was a tough showing in Abu Dhabi, Piastri enjoyed an otherwise successful season which saw two Grand Prix wins in Hungary and Azerbaijan, six other podium appearances, and a Sprint Race win in Qatar. Piastri is also in illustrious company, joining Michael Schumacher (2002), Lewis Hamilton (2019), and Max Verstappen (2023) as one of only four drivers to have completed every lap in a season.
Making a surprise start in Abu Dhabi was Jack Doohan, with the Australian deputising for Esteban Ocon who was released from his duties at Alpine as the Frenchman is set to join Haas in 2025.
Already confirmed for an Alpine seat in 2025 alongside Pierre
Gasly, Doohan’s Formula 1 debut was fast-tracked to Abu Dhabi.
Doohan qualified 20th on Saturday, but was promoted to start Sunday’s race in 17th due to other drivers incurring penalties.
It was an otherwise quiet debut for the Queenslander, with Doohan avoiding trouble and finishing his first Grand Prix in a respectable 15th.
The 2024 season also saw a rare occasion of three Australians participating in a Formula 1 season. Piastri was the best placed Australian in fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, with Daniel Ricciardo ending up in 17th with 12 points. Ricciardo’s season ended prematurely, with the West Australian released from his duties after the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a significant event for many drivers and teams, headlined by Lewis Hamilton’s final race for Mercedes since joining the squad in 2013. It also heralds Hamilton’s last race with a Mercedes power unit, having exclusively raced in Formula 1 since 2007 with the German manufacturer across both stints at McLaren and Mercedes. Hamilton will don the red of Ferrari from the 2025 season.
Melbourne, Victoria, will have the honour of hosting the next Formula 1 Grand Prix on 13–16 March, 2025 for the Australian Grand Prix.
NEW CLERK OF THE COURSE FOR FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
David Mori has been appointed to the role of Clerk of the Course for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2025 in Melbourne from 13-16 March, 2025.
The current Motorsport Events Manager at Motorsport Australia, Mori’s credentials are extensive, and his decades of experience at the highest levels of the sport culminate in being appointed to this coveted role.
“I’m honoured to take on this role at Australia’s most celebrated motorsport event,” Mori said.
“I look forward to delivering a successful Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix alongside my fellow senior officials and with the support of nearly 1000 volunteers over the four-day event.”
It was in 1986 that Mori entered the sport as a volunteer, becoming part of the CAMS International Training Team in 2004. He commenced employment
with Motorsport Australia (then CAMS) in 2014 as Manager Training and Officials. In 2019 he assumed the role of Sporting Operations Executive and Manager Training and Officials, which lead to his current position of Motorsport Events Manager.
An experienced Race Director, Mori has also officiated Formula Ford, Formula 4, V8 SuperUtes, Australian Production Cars, Porsche Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge, while his current duties include Race Director for Dunlop Super2 series and Deputy Race Director for Repco Supercars.
Lisa Crampton, Motorsport Australia’s Sporting & Technical Director, praised Mori’s appointment, highlighting his role in ensuring the event’s success and fostering future leadership within the sport.
“David’s world-class expertise, steadfast leadership, and vast event experience make him the perfect fit for this important position,” Crampton said.
and as Deputy Clerk of the Course National for the Formula 1Australian Grand Prix for several years, David is the logical successor to departing Clerk of the Course and F1 stalwart, Tim Schenken OAM.
I’m honoured to take on this role at Australia’s most celebrated motorsport event
“As Clerk of the Course for the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2021
“The changes and role reassignments in place for 2025 reflect our commitment to elevating emerging talent into senior positions, while ensuring continued mentorship from our most experienced officials.
“This approach strikes a balance between fostering new leadership and preserving the knowledge and expertise of those who have shaped the sport for many decades.”
Photo: Little Gem Photography
Photo: Revved Photography
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