Old but fast: Rally cars criss-cross The Centre

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2572 Outback Trial OK
 
By ERWIN CHLANDA
 
More than 400 enthusiasts for classic and modern rally cars are in town to test their skills on bush roads in the Lasseters Classic Outback Trial.
 
They are doing out-and-return stages each day from Alice Springs, covering some 2,500 kilometres over seven days.
 
At the end of Day 3 (yesterday) the five vehicles leading the field of 34 were: 1984 Nissan Gazelle, 1972 Porsche 911 Tuthill, 1978 Ford Escort Mk2, 1971 Ford Falcon GT and 1983 Holden Commodore V.
 
The competition is split into Classic Outback Trial for historic and classic cars (to 1988) and Classic Outback Modern for modern rally cars (from 1986).
 
The event was founded in 2016.
 
“Initially born as a long-distance rally for classic cars, in recent years there has been a growing interest from competitors with modern competition vehicles to take on Australia’s Red Centre epic event,” say the organisers.
 
There are some 35 special stages, ranging in length from five to 70 kilometres, and offering a great variety of challenges from fast flat roads to tight technical rugged mountainous roads.
 
2572 Outback Trial painted car OKNew for 2018 is a tagalong tour for 4WD and AWD SUVs, a non-competitive opportunity to explore and experience the Outback following selected stages used in the previous days’ competition, with four nights of camping.
 
The event will climax with a presentation night on Saturday.
 
PHOTO: Melbourne based team Joel Wald and Kim Begolhole had their 1979 Datsun Stanza painted with a traditional motif by Charmaine Pwerle, from Utopia. The idea grew out of a chance meeting with NT cattleman and director of Delmore Gallery, Don Holt, after the trial in 2016. He also commissioned the artist to create two additional paintings on linen to be auctioned at presentation night, with all proceeds to be donated to The Purple House dialysis NGO which is soon to open a clinic in Ms Pwerle’s traditional country.
 
 
2573 Travis Outback Trial OKUPDATE August 27:
 
Bathurst son and father combination, Andrew and David Travis (pictured) claimed a third consecutive Classic Outback Trial and fourth in five attempts after winning the 2018 edition by more than nine minutes at the weekend.
 
 
 

4 COMMENTS

  1. Just what Alice Springs, Central Australia and the local economy needs more of, Alice Springs based activities where participants, family and friends are accommodated in Alice and radiate out and back each day over a period of a week or more without the need for tax payers dollars to attract them.

  2. Oh my gawd, don’t tell me that that auto in the top photo is a 280SL Merc with the concave roof. My childhood dream car. Sigh. Do you know, Erwin?

  3. Hi Leigh,
    You’re spot on! And what a beautiful motor car it is 🙂
    The car in a 1968 Mercedes 280 SL Pagoda that is driven by Pat Cole with his son Brad as the navigator. The car was built in 1992 for the 1993 London to Sydney Rally and is used mostly for international events in addition to the Classic Outback Trial which runs every two years.
    In fact the car has now competed in 57 different countries all around the world.
    You can find more images of the car on our website: classicoutbacktrial.com.au

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