Copyright Photo: Blake Rattenbury
The opening kilometres of this year’s Make Smoking History Forest Rally will kick off May 21 on the new and highly anticipated Bunbury Super Special stage.
The Bunbury Super Special stage incorporates parts of the Bunbury Speedway circuit and Autocross track, delivering a similar style of rallying action as the highly popular Rally Australia Langley Park stage.
The stage sees two cars competing simultaneously on the 1.8km course, starting side by side before splitting off in different directions, then coming back alongside each other in time for a dash to the finish line.
Clerk of Course Ross Tapper says the Bunbury Super Special stage will be a programme highlight for both competitors and spectators alike and sets the scene for a great weekend of rallying.
“The Bunbury Super Special stage is a first for the Make Smoking History Forest Rally programme, and we expect it will deliver some sensational rally action,” said Mr Tapper.
“Having two cars competing at the same time under lights gives both competitors and fans something not often seen in WA rallying, and the venue offers plenty of viewing vantage points.”
WA Rally Championship (WARC) and Clubman Cup competitors will have four runs each on the tight and technical 1.8km Bunbury Super Special stage, before the competition moves into the picturesque forestry roads of Nannup on Saturday and Sunday (May 22 – 23).
During the event weekend, WARC competitors will battle for championship points over 191.9 competitive kilometres, with the Nannup Power Stage the final challenge before crossing the finish line on Sunday. The Nannup Power Stage is another new addition to the Make Smoking History Forest Rally programme and sees the Top 10 competitors running in reverse order, from 10th to first, for a nail-biting finish to the event.
The Clubman Cup is contested over a shorter event, with competitors crossing the finish line on Saturday afternoon after battling for points over 101 competitive kilometres.
Unlike previous years, the Make Smoking History Forest Rally will not be a round of the Australian Rally Championship (ARC).
“Due to the uncertainty in regards to COVID-19 and state borders, this year’s event is only open to local competitors,” said Mr Tapper. “But we are looking forward to welcoming our interstate ARC competitors back to the event when access to our State is more certain.
“COVID-19 also may affect our ability to have spectators at the Forest Rally. We’re monitoring health advice and will communicate any developments that may affect the event through our online channels. However, we are planning for spectators and remain optimistic that we’ll be able to welcome them to the event.”
Competitors have less than two weeks left to enter the Make Smoking History Forest Rally, with entries closing 8pm Thursday, May 13. Entries are to be submitted through the Motorsport Australia Portal.
The Forest Rally is sponsored by Healthway and the Make Smoking History message, Tourism WA, Shannons and the Shire of Nannup.
For further information on the Make Smoking History Forest Rally, please visit forestrally.com.au.
