THE dust flew along the challenging 150-kilometre course in the fourth round of the Pipe King Southern Cross Rally series held in Bulahdelah last weekend.

In an ultra-competitive field, two of Australia’s top rally drivers, Nathan Quinn and Tony Sullens, along with seven NSW rally car champions, were amongst the 50 teams who negotiated the dirt roads surrounding Wootton Way and Wang Wauk State Forest.

The event also featured a night run along Manning Hill road.

“This is a competitive field of A-grade drivers,” Australian Motorsport Action Group (AMSAG) spokesperson Jamie Neale said.

“It’s all about vehicle speed, vehicle reliability, navigational skill and, of course, driver skill.”

Jamie said speed across the stages averaged around 85 km/h, but with competitors traveling at up to 200km/h on some sections of the course, it wasn’t always a smooth ride.

“This is a sport that’s very hard, both driving and co-driving, where if you push too hard, it almost nearly ends in tears,” he said.

“We have had competitors break wheels and control arms because the roads are a little bit rough, and of course the drivers are not slowing down.”

This is the third time AMSAG has held the event in Bulahdelah, which “has quickly become one of the premier rallies on the East Coast”.

Jamie said the event attracts over 1,000 people from all over the country, injecting money into the local economy.

“We love Bulahdelah, it is a fantastic place to rally,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful location and the bowling club and local facilities are great.”

The fifth round of series will be held at Orange in September.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN