They’re loud, fast and spend much of their time sideways – classic rally cars from yesteryear are planning a show of spectacular driving to rival their modern counterparts in the International Rally of Queensland on the Sunshine Coast next week.
A field of 13 pre-1983 rally cars, the biggest assembled in Australia this year, has entered the final round of the Australian Classic Rally Competition during the 30 July-1 August event.
Representing legendary models from past World Rally Championships such as the Ford Escort BDA, Datsun Stanza, Datsun 1600SSS, Fiat 131 Abarth, Porsche 911, Triumph TR7 V8 and Mazda RX-7, the Classics have attracted thousands of fans at their previous appearances this year in South Australia and New South Wales.
And drivers such as five-time Australian Champion Ross Dunkerton, Stewart Reid, Keith Callinan, Jack Monkhouse and Wayne Hoy are equally popular for their flamboyant styles at the steering wheel.
In Queensland, the Classics will run on the competitive Special Stages ahead of main-game competitors in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship and Australian and Queensland Rally Championships.
While turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive make modern rally cars devastating quick and effective, the Classics promise spectators at the Coates Hire Rally Shootout and Imbil Special Stages more visceral excitement.
Without the benefit of all-wheel drive traction, drivers have to pitch their cars sideways to slow or turn them and work hard to tame the horsepower produced with distinctive-sounding Weber carburettors.
Event Director Errol Bailey says the record Classics entry is a coup for the International Rally of Queensland.
“Classic rallying is a fast-growing movement and our spectators will be fortunate to see such a strong line-up for the season finale in Queensland,” he said.
“The cars look and sound spectacular and are superbly presented. They take spectators back to some of the greatest eras of world rallying, while being recognisably related to the ordinary road cars many of us drove 40 years ago.
“The cars might be old, but the drivers won’t spare them and I guarantee there will be some breathtaking driving. By the time the Classics go through the spectator points and the Asia Pacific cars arrive at high speed, the crowd will be yelling for more.”
The International Rally of Queensland starts with the Coates Hire Rally Shootout at Caloundra on Friday night and continues with two days of forestry Special Stages around Imbil and Kenilworth in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
The rally cars will visit Kenilworth on Saturday morning for a remote service break and Cooroy on Saturday afternoon for a public meet-and-greet session.
Pre-event discount tickets can be purchased at www.rallyqueensland.com.au.
General Admission Adult prices are $20 for Friday night and $15 for Saturday or Sunday. Tickets for children aged 14 or over are $5, or free with a coupon printed exclusively in the Sunshine Coast Daily on 21, 23, 25, 28 and 31 July.
– Credit: www.rallyqueensland.com.au