Category: Press Release

A dry and dusty 2023 Mitta Mountain Rally won by Tim Wilkins and Jim Gleeson from NSW

This year, the seventh running of the Mitta Mountain Rally, jointly organised by the North Eastern Car Club and Albury Wodonga and District Car Club, was for the third time also a round of the Hoosier NSW Rally Championship as well as the Till Hino Victorian Rally Championship and the LDV Geelong Victorian Club Rally Series.  The incorporated Mitta Masters, for classic cars and crews was also a round of the East Coast Classic Rally Series.  The visiting NSW crews dominated results, but not as comprehensively as last time occupying first and third outright places as well as taking out the Mitta Masters.

The basics of previous evets were retained, including the amazing service park on the golf course, modern Rally Base with excellent local catering, long no repeat mountain stages, wrapped up with presentation that night in the fantastic Mitta Pub.  The route was a mix of new and old stages from previous years.

95 entries were received, and 78 made it to the start line. Comprised of 35 VRC, 19 NSWRC, 22 VCRS and 2 Masters only plus 11 cross entered Masters/ECCRS.  This time it was not possible to enter both VRC and NSWRC or both VCRS and VRC/Masters.

The Mitta Masters for classic cars and crews has not grown as the organisers would have hoped.  The more traditional narrow winding mountain roads, long stages and no pace noting should appeal to competitors from former times.  The Mitta Masters continued its unique awards based on driver age, with awards for the most successful drivers in their 50’s, 60’s and over 70’s, as it is felt that particularly on longer events with longer stages, crew ability, attitude and stamina are more important than the vehicle.  Co-drivers were not to miss out as they were to receive “Carers Awards” that reflect how well they have looked after their elderly chauffeurs.

Saturday dawned fine without the traditional Mitta valley fog, with a little cloud that cleared later. Competitors were informed at the briefing that “There are long intervals in the roadbook with no instructions but lots of corners.  It is matter of judgement what bends deserve a caution.  The guide has been: corners that are not as they appear on approach or out of general character or might be an issue at high speed, are cautioned.  We have probably erred on the side of too little than too many cautions, as it is frustrating for more experienced crews to slow for something that was not a problem.  If there are no cautions it does not mean that the roads can be maximum attacked.  These roads warrant respect and a little reserve, particularly by less experienced crews. They were built by loggers not engineers.  They are unpredictable, constantly changing in direction, width, radius, shade, camber, and surface.  The consequences are severe with big drop offs.  They are demanding roads, but ultimately very rewarding.”

The ballot of the first three seeded positions saw Stratford lead off followed by Pohlner and Walters.  The VCRS tyres ballot was won by Trucano/Thaw.

Crews headed north from Mitta along the Omeo highway to the opening stage – 22.4 km Bullhead Long, where advice for competitors was: “A longer warm up stage than normal that combines the first part of the 2021 Bullhead Gap stage and the latter part of the 2022 Bullhead stage. It starts on a shire lane, with few reference points to guide over the open crests, then into the forest up to a turn left at Bullhead Gap before a long twisty and bony climb over the Bullhead Range, and then a wider, smoother but still relentlessly twisty run down into the Watchingorra Creek valley.”

Wilkins/Gleeson set the pace for the event with a 16.04 to Walters/Crowley on 16.27 and Clark/Clark 16.29.  In VCRS King/McClure-Wallace also lead from the front with 17.35 to Murdoch/Murdoch 17.44 with Semmens/Parry close behind on 17.46. Garrard/Shepherd failed to get to SS1 with fuel pump problems. Reed/Reed retired on this stage after clouting a bank hard, Stewart/Zinsstag had an incurable misfire and Lahiff/Kirby went out with mechanical issues.

Stage 2 – 15.44 km, Callaghans North, had the following advice for competitors: “A shire road stage run in reverse direction to previous years in 2017 and 2019, where crews from the starting line could contemplate in front of them some kilometres of open, sweeping, cresty road.  This did prove too much for some, and on both occasions the MIVs had to enter the stage shortly after the start line.  In reverse, the start is uphill and between the trees, so crews should be in tune before they get to the testing open, slippery and cresty part.” Unfortunately, the MIV was required again when the first car on the road, Adrian Stratford and Kain Manning left the road 4.7 km from stage end at speed, and rolled many times. Ambulance, CFA and SES were called in to take the roof off the car and extract the crew in their seats.  They were airlifted to Melbourne, and are making slow recovery from back injuries.  Reeves/Catford retired early in the stage with differential failure.

As there was no convenient way around stage 2 to get to stage 3, both stages were cancelled, so crews convoyed back to Mitta service to restart again on Heat 2.

For Heat 2, crews headed south down the Omeo Highway to Dunstans Gap for Stage 4 – 30.85 km Mt Wills. Advice for competitors for the following stage was: “This stage was last used in our first year, 2016 as an exacting opening stage. It is a very scenic drive following Mt Wills Creek amongst towering grey gums, in and out of Sassafras gullies up into thick alpine ash forests towards the creek’s source at Mt Wills.  Besides being relentlessly twisty, the road is constantly changing in width, surface, undulations, camber and corner radius, with many of the large trees close to the road on exits to corners, all demanding tidy driving.”

Wilkins/Gleeson were an outstanding 1.03 quicker than Sweeney/Cronin, with a further 19 seconds to Millard/Hughes, enjoying the twisty roads and getting amongst the 4WDs in their Datsun 1600.  In VCRS, Murdoch/Murdoch turned the tables knocking off King/McClure-Wallace by 3 seconds.

Many crews succumbed on this stage: Walters/Crowley limped to the end with drivetrain problems, Mahony/Hilton also with driveline issues, Allen/Young fuel,  Mordue/Mordue distributor, Ellis/Ellis clutch, Jones/Jones mechanical, Gibson/Jelbart unknown and Yendle/McKinnon suspension.

Stage 5 – 14.26 km Dunstans Down, followed shortly after.  Advice for competitors was: “This road has traditionally been used uphill as the shortest warm up stage we could find.   Originally built parallel to the highway as a private road it enabled grossly overweight log trucks get from the bush to the Lightning Creek sawmill without using the Omeo Highway, except to cross it! It descends ever so gradually for 600m through towering Gey Gums and Alpine Ash trees on a constant grade with relentless, constant bends for the entire stage.  it has not been graded for a few years, so the grass, dogwood and blackberries are encroaching and making the road narrower.”

Wilkins/Gleeson were again fastest on 12.26, this time to Clark/Clark by 5 seconds, then 19 seconds to Dermody/Moynihan.  In VCRS, King/McClure – Wallace and the Murdoch boys tied on 13.20.

Moore/Hutchens retired here with mechanical failure, Hunt/Hunt overheating, and Ross/Hague numerous problems.

VCRS returned to Mitta here, while many of the remaining competitors needed a remote refuel before tackling the final 36.91 km Razorback stage.  Advice for competitors was: “The tradition continues of saving the longest stage until the final stage.  Commences with a fast, narrow, cresty run through the snow gums, and then opens up onto a wider road, graded since we last used it, through the alpine ash forests along the Razorback Spur ridge before a long twisty descent down to Snowy Creek.  Beware the sharp bends around the ends of spurs and red earth patches if wet on the descent.  There are glimpses to be had of Mt Bogong and Mt Wills to the West and the Dartmouth Dam to the East. Spectators will be gathered on the final corner of the event.”

Sullens/Newell running second on the road, ran out of brakes, colliding with a bank and tipped onto their side, blocking the road. The following six cars were held up and received derived times before the stage could recommence. Other retirements here were Galley/Buccini fuel, Lee/Lethlean out of tyres and Cagney/Moore unknown.

Wilkins/Gleeson continued their winning way to the finish on 28.05, 26 seconds ahead of the Clarks, then 9 seconds to the Redheads.

The champagne presentation and spray was held for outright and VCRS podium places at parc ferme on the edge of the oval below rally base with a backdrop of Mt Welcome.

Provisional results were posted at 7.00 pm as the basis for award of trophies for outright, masters and classes later, outside that evening in the Mitta Pub, preceded by some footage of the day’s action on the big screen courtesy of Mason Peart. The traditional Mitta vases were presented by Gordon Douglas from Border Oils and Batteries and event patron Warwick Smith who was interviewed by MC Alan Baker on his early driving career in diminuitive Renaults and his later successful rally career as ARC champion co-driver and multiple VRC champion driver.

The event coordinator Ross Runnalls acknowledged a huge team that included: Brian Royal- Road Secretary, Tod Reed – Road Director, Gary Gourlay – Event Secretary, Steve Roman – equipment, Chris Aggenbach – officials coordinator, Ged Blum – Entries Secretary, Col Elliott – Clerk of Course, Ian Douglas – Radio, Steve Davies – checker, John Downs – CRO,  Warren Brown – Radio network, Trevor Woods and family – scorers,

Stage commanders – Steve Roman /Ray Wingrave, Tom Kaitler /Steuart Snooks, Greg Keen/ David Schmidt, Paul Kent/Mark Richards, Corey Gillet/ Owen Polanski and Chris Aggenbach/Brenton Kaitler, Service Park and Parc Ferme manager Scott Spedding

Course cars, 0 Braeden Kendrick, 000 David West, 999 Kev Battocchio, Sweep Mick Carey, and Recovery 1 and 2 Ben Quick, Luke Webster and MIV drivers Ian Enders, Jim Reeves, Matt Webster, Bob Waldner, Tegan Elliott.

Award Winners

Mitta Mountain Rally

NSWRC Outright

1^st Tim Wilkins / Jim Gleeson, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9

2^nd Josh Redhead / Matt Redhead, Mitsubishi Lancer GSR

3^rdChris Stilling / Jon Thomson, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7

NSWRC 2WD

1^st Thomas Dermody / Eoin Moynihan, Ford Escort RS1800

2^nd Jacob Umback / Peter Stringfellow, Toyota Corolla

3^rd Brad Luff / Jamie Luff, Holden Commodore VL

NSWRC Classes

1^st 1600-2000cc Thomas Dermody / Eoin Moynihan, Ford Escort RS1800

1^st >2000cc Brad Luff / Jamie Luff, Holden Commodore VL

VRC Outright

1^st Tim Clark / Leonie Clark, Subaru Impreza

2^nd Kev Millard / Patty Hughes, Datsun 1600

3^rdNick Seymour / Gordon Grant, Ford Fiesta

VRC 2WD

1^st Kev Millard / Patty Hughes, Datsun 1600

2^nd Nick Seymour / Gordon Grant, Ford Fiesta

3^rd James Leoncini / Mark Leoncini, Toyota Corolla AE71

VRC Classes

1^st Novice Jarrod Keyte / James Brown, Hyundai Excel

1^st Excel Vic Brendan Hood / Richard Hood, Hyundai Excel

1^st CLB James Leoncini / Mark Leoncini, Toyota Corolla AE71

1^st PN 2 under 1600 Brendan Hood / Richard Hood, Hyundai Excel

1^st PN 3 1600-2000 Andrew Murdoch Snr / Kelvin North, Ford Fiesta

1^st PN 4 over 2000 Kev Millard / Patty Hughes, Datsun 1600

1^st PN 5 modern 4wd Tim Clark / Leonie Clark, Subaru Impreza

1^st PN 6 older 4wd Brad Till / Mitch Garrad, Subaru Impreza

Mitta Masters

1st O/R, Warwick Smith Cup Thomas Dermody / Eoin Moynihan, Ford Escort RS1800

1^st M50Thomas Dermody / Eoin Moynihan, Ford Escort RS1800

1^st M60 David Lawrance / Darren Davison, Datsun 1600

1^st M70 Terry Gunter / Stephen Newell, Ford Escort Mk 2

East Coast Classic Rally Series

1^st 2WDThomas Dermody / Eoin Moynihan, Ford Escort RS1800

1^st 4WD Josh Redhead / Matt Redhead, Mitsubishi Lancer GSR

Mitta Mountain Rally

VCRS Outright

1^stDaryl King / Darcy McClure-Wallace, Toyota Corolla

2^ndAndrew Murdoch Jnr / Ross Murdoch, Nissan Skyline

3^rdKeith Lewis / Jack Lewis, Datsun 1600

VCRS 2WD

1^stDaryl King / Darcy McClure-Wallace, Toyota Corolla

2^nd Andrew Murdoch Jnr / Ross Murdoch, Nissan Skyline

VCRS Classes

1^st Novice Andrew Myers / Chris Storer, Datsun 1600

1^st Class A <1400cc Michael Trucano / Heli Thaw, Datsun Sunny

1^st Class B 1400 to 1600cc Brody Zysvelt / Judd Lewis, Hyundai Excel

1^st Class C 1600-2000cc Daryl King / Darcy McClure-Wallace, Toyota Corolla

1^st Class D >2000cc Andrew Murdoch Jnr / Ross Murdoch, Nissan Skyline

1^st class E 4WDShannon Seabrook / Rhiannon Philpot-Hale

1^st Junior Cup Jack Lewis

Wilkins/Gleeson powering to victory in the picturesque Mitta valley

Tim and Leonie Clark, setting up for the final corner of the final stage and a fine 2^nd outright and first VRC

The Redhead brothers sliding early in stage 4 to 3^rd outright and 2^nd NSWRC

Millard/Hughes dodging the thistles on their way to 2^nd VRC and first 2WD

Dermody/Moynihan taking out the Warwick Smith Cup for first Masters, as well as 5^th NSWRC

Stilling/Thomson turning in on stage 4 to 3^rd NSWRC

The flying Leoncinis in their Toyota Corona, no, Corolla, revelling in the dust to 4^th VRC

The Hoods on their way to an impressive first Excel and 5^th VRC

King/McClure-Wallace cleaning up with first VCRS

The Murdochs powering to 2^nd VCRS, showing that bigger cars do ok at Mitta

Lewis and Lewis backing it in to 3^rd VCRS

MMR 2023 Further Regulations

 

DOWNLOAD PDF HERE

The organisers of the Mitta Mountain Rally want to make it an enjoyable experience for those competitors from NSW.  A summary of key differences between normal practice at NSW state championship events and what occurs at Mitta was provided for previous events.  A significant difference to previous Mitta events that have been part of the NSWRC is that competitors cannot enter both NSWRC and VRC components, which has simplified registration and series sponsor signage. The remaining differences are not major, although the penalties on road sections in Victoria did catch out a few previously.

Refuelling

Refuelling in Mitta can only occur in the refuel zone adjacent to the service park.  Time is allowed to refuel on the road section leaving the start and each time leaving the service park.  This prevents refuelling being rushed while other pressing work may be required during service sections.  There will be a need for remote refuel zones in both Heat 1 and 2.  A refuel trailer will be provided to take fuel to the Heat 1 and Heat 2 remote refuel.

Penalties on Road Sections

In Victoria the penalty for late arrival at a Time Control is 5 seconds per minute late, as per the NRC.  This has not been found to cause any public relations issues in Victoria.

Results and Awards

Previously at Mitta results were final on the day at 1930 if no protests received.  Since 2022 results are now only provisional on the day, but awards are presented at the post event function on the same day.

Display Clocks

These are not used in Victoria.  Competitors can use the Rallysafe unit time, which is linked to Rallysafe tablets used at all Time Controls, to judge when to enter Time Controls.

Media Day

There will be no media day at Mitta.

Wheelspin at stage starts

Although this applies in some Victorian events, it will not apply at Mitta.

Of course there will be other idiosyncrasies, some written, some not, that have not been covered here, but hopefully the above eases the trauma of crossing the Murray River into the Deep South!

A widely talented rally driver, co-driver and navigator, Warwick Smith will follow previous patrons; George Fury, Geoff Portman, Jeff Beaumont, Bruce Garland, Kate Officer and Philip Rodgers, in filling this unique but some might say somewhat dubious role at Mitta this year.

Why have a patron at a rally, you may well ask?  The organisers of the Mitta Mountain Rally thought that having an event patron that was a respected elder of the sport would provide a great link between contemporary competitors at the state championship level and older crews and their cars in the Mitta Masters.

Warwick started rallying in 1966 as a navigator and member of the Renault Car Club.  He soon turned his hand to driving as well in a diminutive Renault 750, moving on to a Renault Dauphine 904, then 1100, then the better Renault Ondine 1100 then 1300, but never a Gordini.

He experienced success as a navigator initially with Geoff Lawson in a Mazda R100, then with Bob Bird in a Cortina and Torana XU-1, winning the 1972 Victorian Clubman Championship, while being picked out by Harry Firth to accompany Barry Ferguson in a Holden Dealer Team XU-1 in the 1972 Australian Rally Championship.  This led to pairing with Peter Lang to win the 1973 ARC also in a HDT XU-1.

In amongst the co-driving, he fitted in events driving with his great mate Bruce Norton as navigator.

He came close to winning the Victorian Rally Championship as navigator with Bob Bird on a number of occasions in the mid-70s before concentrating on driving a Mitsubishi Lancer to dominate the VRC from 1978 to 1980.

He took a turn at directing, creating the Goldfields Rally, run annually from 1974 to 1978, which was noted for the very tight and demanding route charts on vague tracks through the forests around Dunolly.

Warwick will be floating around at Mitta this year, so feel free to have a chat to him.  He may have some useful advice as to how to be successful.  He will also be interviewed at the post event presentation function about the cars he has rallied in and the famous drivers he has guided, including Peter Lang, Colin Bond, Peter Brock and Peter Janson and his thoughts on present day rallying before presenting trophies, including the Warwick Smith Cup to the winners of the Mitta Masters.

The course check has been completed and the road team reports that all stages are in great condition.  Although the area has experienced a wet Winter, Spring and Summer, rain has been steady with few heavy storms that can impact road surfaces.  One stage was dropped as planned grading had not occurred.  This reduces total distance to 135 km for the State event and to 99 km for the shorter VCRS event.  That still represents a significant workout in this tight and twisty terrain.

The organisers like to vary the course from year to year, to keep the event interesting.  Two stages incorporate some open shire roads.  Two stages have been used  before, one not for many years, the other has been graded since last used and is in tip top condition.  It will provide a great final stage.  Two stages are run in reverse direction to previous years.  There is also ten km of exciting all new road.

Road Director Tod Reed has conducted his own maintenance, rectifying a gutter that kept surprising him on survey.

                                  

Mitta enjoyed 60 entries last year with VRC, Masters, VCRS and including ten entries from NSW, but with the downturn in VRC entries towards the end of 2022, Mitta Organisers were willing to accept the offer to also be part of the NSWRC in 2023, and deal with an oversubscribed field if it ever occurred.

The field limit has been increased from 60 to 80, and 90 entries have been received to date. Entries have been received so far from the crews listed below.

The larger field is not expected to cause issues with roads in the forest, but will require the cooperation of crews to maintain a smoothly operating service park.

Entry fees have not been received yet from some of the listed entries. Entries will not be formally accepted until a full entry fee payment has also been received. Note that early bird discount closes on Wednesday 8 February. If the entry fee is not received from any of the following crews before the close of entries on 22 February (8 pm), then that crew will be removed from the Entry List and be replaced by the next available entry on the Reserve List.

Driver Name	Co Driver Name	Event
Tim Wilkins	Jim Gleeson	NSWRC
Brad Luff	Jamie Luff	NSWRC
Robert Gawen	Sarah Gawen	NSWRC
Riley Walters	Andrew Crowley	NSWRC
Chris Fitzgerald	Ash Ewers	NSWRC
Jody Mill	Ray Winwood-Smith	NSWRC
Brian Hunt	Chandlah Hunt	NSWRC
Miles Sandy	Kim Bessell	NSWRC
Chris Stilling	Jon Thomson	NSWRC
David Hills	Ben Richards	NSWRC
Michael Tori	Jamie McIntyre	NSWRC
Josh Redhead	Matt Redhead	NSWRC
Tony Sullens	Kaylie Newell	NSWRC
Jacob Umback	Peter Stringfellow	NSWRC
Thomas Dermody	Eoin Moynihan	NSWRC & Masters
Robert Gorst	Joanne Gorst	NSWRC & Masters
Chris Judson	Matt Ruggles	NSWRC & Masters
Wade Ryan	Michael Ryan	NSWRC & Masters
Evan Bollard	TBA	NSWRC & Masters
Jason Lennane	Jasmine Lockley	VRC
Warren Lee	David Lethlean	VRC
Darren Crozier	Michelle Crozier	VRC
Brett Ross	Jasdon Hague	VRC
Richard Galley	Claire Buccini	VRC
Andrew C Murdoch	Kelvin North	VRC
David Draper	Brittany Draper	VRC
Brad Till	Mitch Garrad	VRC
James Leoncini	Mark Leoncini	VRC
Arron Windus	Tracey Dewhurst	VRC
Darren Windus	Joe Brick	VRC
Ian Martin	Doug Fernie	VRC
Lochlan Reed	Lucas Reed	VRC
Tim Clark	Leonie Clark	VRC
Ross Stapleton	Peter Ellis	VRC
Brendan Hood	Richard Hood	VRC
Rosemarie North	Jarryd – Indiana Sweeney	VRC
Jamie Pohlner	Adam Branford	VRC
Russell Hocking	Jayden Hocking	VRC
Paul Lahiff	TBA	VRC
Wayne Stewart	Lucas Zinsstag	VRC
Kev Millard	Patty Hughes	VRC
Nick Seymour	Gordon Grant	VRC
Cary Seabrook	Russell Seabrook	VRC
Thomas West	Stephen Dunbar	VRC
Nicholas Cagney	Ken Moore	VRC
Frank Liucci	Barry Sheridan	VRC
Jarrod Keyte	James Brown	VRC
Andrew Pannam	Tony Robinson	VRC
Brendan Reeves	Kate Raymond	VRC
Tony Moore	Troy Hutchins	VRC
Darryn Snooks	Michael Foreshew	VRC & Masters
Danny Murphy	Trevor Harty	VRC & Masters
Adrian Stratford	Kain Manning	VRC & Masters
David Lawrance	Darren Davison	VRC & Masters
Steve Allen	Stephen Young	VRC & Masters
Graham Wallis	Richard Davies	Masters
Terry Gunter	Stephen Newell	Masters
Ian Hill	Phillip Bonser	Masters
Bruce Field	Karien Heimsohn	Masters
Ross Yendle	Steven McKinnon	Masters
Gordon Douglas	Will Murphy	Masters
Brian Semmens	Dan Parry	VCRS
Tobie Mordue	Aaron Mordue	VCRS
Owen Polanski	Andrew Roberts	VCRS
Peter Sweeney	Simon Young	VCRS
Sean Gibson	Samantha Jelbart	VCRS
Derek Reynolds	Taylor Jay	VCRS
Michael Trucano	Heli Thaw	VCRS
Daryl King	Darcy McClure-Wallace	VCRS
Geoffrey Hale	Jenny Pollock	VCRS
Matthew Jones	Amy Jones	VCRS
Alexander Kovacevic	David McLean	VCRS
Ben Chamberlain	Kyle Wilcox	VCRS
Steven Kaitler	Robert Wilson	VCRS
Andrew Murdoch Jnr	Ross Murdoch	VCRS
Keith Lewis	Jack Lewis	VCRS
Andrew Myers	Chris Storer	VCRS
Roy Brock	Teana Brock	VCRS
Simon Ellis	Ian Ellis	VCRS
Brody Zysvelt	Judd Lewis	VCRS
Reserve List
Ray Garrad	Tim Shepherd	VCRS
Aaron Van Winden	Jesse Stirland	VCRS
Tim Reynolds	Lachlan Reynolds	VCRS
Robert Posser	Gareth Posser	VCRS
Paul Mahoney	Greg Hilton	VRC
Richard Mcnay	Susan Blacksell	VRC
Joe Chapman	TBA	NSWRC
Shannon Seabrook	Rhiannon Phillpot-Hale	VCRS
Brian Cronin	Joseph Cronin	NSWRC
Joel Wald	Ashley McBain	VCRS

It is still a week to go before the early entry cut-off, and 53 entries have been received so far.

Approval has been given by Motorsport Australia and Forest Fire Management Victoria, the responsible road authority for most of the route, to increase the field limit from 60 to 70 cars, so it is not too late to enter, but best to get online and get that entry in if you want to be part of the Series opener, and take advantage of the early entry fee discount.

Entries have been received so far from the following crews listed below.  If you thought you had submitted an entry and your name is not on this list, then please get in touch with our Entries Secretary, Ged Blum.

Driver	Codriver	Series
Tim Wilkins	Jim Gleeson	NSWRC
Riley Walters	Andrew Crowley	NSWRC
Robert Gawen	Sarah Gawen	NSWRC
Thomas Dermody	Eoin Moynihan	NSWRC
Brad Luff	Jamie Luff	NSWRC
Chris Fitzgerald	Ash Ewers	NSWRC
Jody Mill	Ray Winwood-Smith	NSWRC
Brian Hunt	Chandlah Hunt	NSWRC
Miles Sandy	Kim Bessel	NSWRC
Chris Stilling	Jon Thomson	NSWRC
David Hills	Ben Richards	NSWRC
Michael Tori	Jamie McIntyre	NSWRC
Chris Judson	Matt Ruggles	NSWRC + Masters
Wade Ryan	Michael Ryan	NSWRC + Masters
Evan Bollard	TBA	NSWRC + Masters
Darren Crozier	Michelle Crozier	VRC
Brett Ross	Jason Hague	VRC
David Draper	Britany Draper	VRC
Brad Till	Mitch Garrad	VRC
James Leoncini	Mark Leoncini	VRC
Aaron Windus	Tracey Dewhurst	VRC
Darren Windus	Joe Brick	VRC
Ian Martin	Doug Fernie	VRC
Lochlan Reed	Lucas Reed	VRC
Tim Clark	Leonie Clark	VRC
Ross Stapleton	Peter Ellis	VRC
Brendan Hood	Richard Hood	VRC
Rosemarie North	Jarryd – Indiana Sweeney	VRC
Jamie Pohlner	Adam Branford	VRC
Warren Lee	David Lethlean	VRC
Robert Gorst	Joanne Gorst	VRC
Jason Lennane	Jasmine Lockley	VRC
Darryn Snooks	Michael Foreshew	VRC + Masters
Danny Murphy	Trevor Harty	VRC + Masters
Adrian Stratford	Kain Manning	VRC + Masters
David Lawrance	Darren Davison	VRC + Masters
Graham Wallis	Richard Davies	Masters
Terry Gunter	Stephen Newell	Masters
Ian Hill	Phillip Bonser	Masters
Bruce Field	Karien Heimsohn	Masters
Brian Semmens	Dan Parry	VCRS
Tobie Mordue	Aaron Mordue	VCRS
Owen Polanski	Andrew Roberts	VCRS
Peter Sweeney	Simon Young	VCRS
Sean Gibson	Samantha Jelbart	VCRS
Derek Reynolds	Taylor Jay	VCRS
Michael Trucano	Heli Thaw	VCRS
Daryl King	Darcy McClure-Wallace	VCRS
Geoffrey Hale	Jenny Pollock	VCRS
Matthew Jones	Amy Jones	VCRS
Alex Kovacevic	David McLean	VCRS
Steve Kaitler	Robert Wilson	VCRS
Andrew Murdoch Jnr	Ross Murdoch	VCRS

Supplementary Regulations have been released today at www.mittamountainrally.com for the opening round of the 2023 Motorsport Australia New South Wales Rally Championship and Till Hino Victorian Rally Championship.  Border Oils and Batteries are back on board again as the major event sponsor.

The event will also include as a multi club event, the opening round of the 2023 LDV Geelong Victorian Club Rally Series.  The Mitta Masters multi-club event for classic cars and competitors also returns this year as the opening round of the East Coast Classic Rally Series.

The Road team reports that the planned route has held up well to the wet year experienced here in Victoria. The superb views of Victorian peaks remain for co-drivers to enjoy and drivers to occasionally glance at.

The unique features of the Mitta event are all still there including the amazing service park on the golf course, modern Rally Base with excellent local catering, no repeat mountain stages, wrapped up with presentation that night in the cosy Mitta Pub.  The bus will operate from Dartmouth again.

It might pay to get online at www.mittamountainrally.com and get that entry in soon.  Discounted early bird entries close at midnight Wednesday 8 February.

Mitta Mountain Rally website has been refreshed for 2023. Stay tune for information regarding this year’s event scheduled for Saturday, 4th March.

While much of the country has been receiving heavy rains, the Mitta Valley has received only light falls this week following a dry February, so that road conditions in the forest are currently close to perfect.

Significant thunderstorm activity and rainfall is forecast for the day of the event, but the forest authorities consider that the forest roads should stand up reasonably well to rally traffic under wet conditions.

So, if you are preparing to leave for Mitta, keep on coming.  The local community has stocked up with supplies and looks forward to your visit this weekend.