YOUNG driver Nathan Quinn and co driver John McCarthy took victory in the NSW State Rally Championship in the forests around Bulahdelah over the weekend.
Quinn and McCarthy lead the rally in their Mitshbushi EVO VI from the first stage, smashing the state record by 14 seconds, set by Quinn in the 2007 event.
Leading by four seconds half way through, the Coffs Harbour driver held the lead until the sixth stage when Quinn left the road on a fast left bend, damaging the front of the car. The service crew were able to work on the car enough to allow it to return to action and complete the final two stages to secure the victory.
During a full day of competition, drivers tackled 120km of the most challenging forest roads in the region.
Michael and Sue South took out second place, after leading the table before the Bulahdelah round. South’s chance at victory disappeared when he left the road and took 45 seconds to regain the stage, but the couple kept up the pressure to finish only seconds behind the leaders.
“The fight (for the lead) will go on all day,” clerk of course Graham Humphreys said at half time.
With their second place the South’s will retain their lead in the NSW Rally Championships.
Bryan Van Eck and Jim Gleeson have closed the gap with a third place after a disappointing last round.
The other front running team in the championships failed to finish with an incident on stage five. The team of Cary and Edwards were left stranded and unable to continue.
At the state level competitors are competing for a prestigious NSW Rally Championship trophy.
“There is no money involved in the prize,” Humphreys said.
Competitors have been vying for the trophy since 1968.
“They are still contesting that same championship today.”
It was the third year Bulahdelah has hosted the Myall Stages Rally but the first for the State competition.
“Holding the state championships (in Bulahdelah) is a result of other events not happening because of weather and council problems,” Humphreys said.
The state championship had collapsed down to three rounds instead of the usual six before the club were approached by the state committee to run it in conjunction with the Myall Stages rally.
“If it all happens again next year we will assess what needs to be changed and go from there,” Humphreys said.
“The rally will be back next year all going well.”
Due to wet weather and closures at the Bulahdelah Showground, council allowed the organisers to close a section of Prince St to service their cars.
“The cooperation of council, the police and the national parks is paramount,” Humphreys said. The next round of the State Championships will be held in Coffs Harbour later this month.
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