5 replies to this topic

[Lee Nicolle]

I started my racing in Rallycross at Tailem Bend in 1977. This was a sport that was quite spectacular and was around for over a decade.
There was tracks at Calder, Catalina Pk, Adelaide International Raceway and Tailem Bend.
Who remembers the highs and lows of this section of motorsport in Australia.

[Team Result]

Well the 'high' would have to have been Peter Brock's supercharged Torana over the jump at Calder!
IIRC, it had a sizable wing on the back, which may have helped it 'fly'.
Seriously though, the rallycross programmes on TV provided quite entertaining motorsport.
Unf, the fields never really had much depth (compared with Europe) and little car manufacturer interest.

[Ray Bell]

It was quite successful at Catalina, and there was a lot of competition at Calder...

Rallycross was supposed to bring rally competitors to a form of racing, and I'm sure it did so. I think, however, the TV people soon tired of it and it was therefore... at least at the major centres... doomed.

[275 GTB-4]

Sadly...the attempt to re-launch Rallycross has struck a speedbump...

Broadford pulls plug

The Chairman of Rallycross Management Australia, Bob Watson, announced today that as the result of a shock decision by Motorcycling Victoria the plans to hold Rallycross meetings at the Broadford Motorcycling complex will not proceed.

In a statement today, the CEO of Motorcycling Victoria Wayne Holdsworth said “It is the decision of the MC Board not to continue to host Rallycross events in the future”. Reasons given were “financial risk associated with track maintenance and potential track damage bringing the requirement to resurface”, and “Reputational damage with the current majority user groups”.

In spite of receiving written confirmation from the then track manager that Rallycross would proceed at the Broadford track, concerns were raised after the Rallycross launch function on May 21, when mud was carried on to the motorcycle track from the newly formed gravel rallycross course. At that stage planned steps to reduce the mud transfer had not been put in place. The decision to pull the plug on Rallycross was made by MCV before any detailed discussions on addressing the problem were held.

The MCV decision will bring disappointment to many people who have shown enthusiasm for the return of Rallycross to Australia, including prospective competitors from the Rally and Autocross sectors of motor sport. Rallycross was seen by CAMS as a great stepping stone for young competitors looking to take the next step in the sport.

Watson said “It is bitterly disappointing. Broadford would have been an ideal venue for Rallycross, but a change of attitude by new track management turned the tide against us. I am grateful for the support we have received from CAMS and the Rally and Autocross communities and I deeply regret that we cannot proceed”.

The official announcement on the website says:http://rallycrossaus...ord-pulls-plug/

[Lee Nicolle]

I feel what Bob was trying to put together was true Rallycross. It is a pity Broadford got cold feet. The Qld deal seems to be more a stadium off road event? 

And then CAMS seem to have gotten involved which is possibly the kiss of death!

Though IF organised properly could be good viewing and good TV. IF you could get TV without paying stupid money for the 'rights'

Coversely the silly money paid for footbrawl and even Supercars defies logic!

[David Shaw]

Unfortunately this sort of thing has happened before. 3 years ago, Cerberus Car Club had negotiated a deal with MRA to build an autocross track at Broadford. After many months of work and thousands of dollars invested, they held their only meeting there. Shortly after there were MRA elections, and the new management decided it wasn't for them and told CCC they couldn't use it any more. To me it wasn't such a shock, but I feel so sorry for Bob and his people.