Bega Valley Motors Rally News – News – News
Press release 2 (Classic rally section) 2nd June 2006
In what is fast becoming the most talked about Motor Rally of the year, Bega Valley Motors, NSW State Championship, Round, 2, is set to really put on a tremendous show.
The classic section will be running at the front of the field led by 6 times Australian Champion Ross Dunkerton in his brand new, Snooks Motorsport Datsun Stanza. The first 3 stages are in the Bega area, all on the famed shire roads. It is widely tipped, that this will be the last year of the shire roads. ‘Dunks’ last drove these roads in a factory run Stanza in 1980, but believes the Snooks built car to be considerably faster.
It had better be, because right behind Dunkerton will be Shawn Urquhart in the Fiat 131 Abarth, which has proven to be the quick combination in the classic events in the past couple of years. These cars are an extremely rare sight, and one spectators love. Shawn will be co driven by Canberra’s Fred Gocentas. Fred is arguably the most ‘winning’ co driver in our history, and the Fiat is not new to him, he partnered the great Greg Carr in the factory Fiat in the early 80’s, and again in this car in New Zealand last year.
The Bega shire roads are very quick, and Gerald Schofield, who will start at position 3, will have full advantage, in his tremendously powerful Ford Escort Rs. These cars won here many times, and Gerald has match practice here, that those around him don’t, so watch out for his form in the Escort, bound to bring memories flooding back.
Some say the Escort Rs is the best sounding car in the forests, and when Gerald gives it full throttle, the sound is just awesome.
The man who is most likely to take full advantage of the ‘shire road’ conditions, is Darryn Snooks, in the second of his team cars. His recent form in Melbourne, at the Cerebus stages, showed he had the speed of the front running 4wd cars, if he can repeat that, then he will be the man. He is the team boss of Snooks Motorsport, so the rumour mill is running overtime, questions about team orders and the like.
But the car we will all want to see, will be the LANCIA Stratos, driven by Gerry Dyveston (see above). With its Ferrari V6 engine, 260Bhp, and revs in excess of 9000 rpm, this car is every motor sport fans dream.
The Stratos was purpose built by Squadra Corso, (Lancia Motorsport), and first ran in 1974. They set the rally world on its head. Steel chassis, 5 speed gearbox, mated to the Ferrari motor, all mounted amidships behind the driver and co driver, all fibreglass panels, and independent suspension all round, made this car, the most dynamic rally car of probably any era. With not much more than 200 made, these cars are extremely rare. They are also extremely small. So small, it is a shock to the eye when first seen. And the noise – all that Ferrari horsepower – a sound like no other. Gerry will be starting at position 9, a real sting in the tail.
And for all you V8 fans out there, sandwiched neatly in between will be Ron Moore’s V8 Commodore, and Warren Ridge’s V8 Falcon, bothy of which are major crown pleasers. Keeping them on their toes will be the Silverstone Tyres Triumph Tr8 of Matt Ruggles. Matt was quick in Melbourne, on only his second outing in the car, and much work has been done since – so expect to see some fireworks from him.
All the cars will be on display at BEGA VALLEY MOTORS from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm, Saturday the 10th of June. Come along, talk to the drivers, meet Ross Dunkerton and the co drivers and mechanics that keep these cars going, admire the cars, sit in the cars, no matter what your interest in the car world, don’t miss this very rare sight. (Please, no drooling over the Stratos!)
The action starts on the Sunday, 11th June, on the Shire roads around Bega, from around 9am.
Spectator instructions will be available from Bega Valley Motors and the Bega RSL Club.
www.classicrallycars.com
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