MOTORSPORT: 2020 Australian Tarmac Rally Championship fires up
And carsales will take on the Mount Baw Baw Sprint for its second consecutive yearThe 2020 Australian Tarmac Rally Championship will open with a bang with the Mount Baw Baw Sprint on February 22-23.
Entries are now open for the inaugural round of the 2020 ATRC season with teams from across Australian and New Zealand are expected to take part in the two-day event.
Held on the challenging mountain roads beneath Victoria’s picturesque Mount Baw Baw, the first round of the Victorian-based ATRC series for 2020 is open to modern and classic cars alike with a tour section open to road-registered cars.
The main event of each round is targeted at fully-licensed rally drivers, competing against the clock in vehicles that meet full tarmac rally specifications.
carsales Road Test Editor, Matt Brogan, will again take part in the 2020 Mount Baw Baw Sprint with his 2007 Mazda MX-5. It’s Brogan’s second time at the event and one he encourages like-minded drivers to get behind.
“If you’ve ever been interested in tarmac rallying, but don’t know where to start, then the tour section of an event like the Mount Baw Baw Sprint really is a terrific option,” said Brogan.
“It’s a cost-effective way to determine your interest in the sport, and is a safe and well-organised event that puts an emphasis on the enjoyment of its participants.
“The road is challenging and you’re going to get a lot out of your weekend in terms of the speeds you’ll experience and your time at the wheel.”
The Mount Baw Baw round is one of four hosted by Mountain Motorsport’s Peter Washington, who has run the ATRC for the best part of a decade.
“Entrants will be vying for Outright, Classic, Modern, Super Sport and Target Time titles,” said Washington.
“All entries at any event will be automatically entered into the AASA Australian Tarmac Rally Championship at no extra charge. The winners of the Championship will rightly be known as the best tarmac rallying teams in the country.”
Under Washington’s guidance the Mount Baw Baw event grew from a hill climb to a fully-fledged multi-stage tarmac rally in 2013. It now boasts a field of almost 100 competitors annually and with a competition distance of 220km – including a 30km final competitive stage – is one of the longest tarmac rallies in the state.
“From Icy Creek to Tanjil Bren and up the steepest asphalt road in Victoria to the Mount Baw Baw summit, the Baw Baw Tourist Road is a roller coaster ribbon of tarmac that aims to test drivers and cars alike,” Brogan added.
“Anyone who knows the road, perhaps in ski season, knows that it can be a challenge, particularly with cyclists, hikers, four-wheel drivers and logging machinery sharing the road. Having the road closed and knowing the support staff and volunteers are there to keep an eye on things really lets you enjoy this road as it’s meant to be driven.
“I can’t think of too many events this side of Bass Strait that offer the same kind of thrill as the Baw Baw Sprint. I absolutely love taking part.”
Mount Baw Baw is located 90 minutes east of Melbourne. Accommodation and dining venues are located at the summit with a range of facilities to suit most budgets. Entry fees and forms are available now at the Australian Tarmac Rally Championship website .
2020 Australian Tarmac Rally Championship dates:
Mount Baw Baw Sprint – February 22-23
Lake Mountain Sprint – March 21-22
Snowy River Sprint – TBC (likely September)
Great Tarmac Rally – TBC (likely October)
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