State of Origin Rally Challenge for Rally S.A.

The Australian Rally Commission (ARCom) last night endorsed an additional competition to be included at round four of the Australian Rally Championship, Rally South Australia this year.

The 'State of Origin Rally Challenge' will involve teams drawn from a minimum of three states, competing for a cash prize of $3,000.

Rally South Australia Director and Clerk of Course Ivar Stanelis said he is looking forward to the injection of the new competition and said it will be a boost for the rally which is already regarded as one of the best on the ARC calendar.

"The new competition is a great thing for the Championship, and of course Rally SA," said Stanelis.

"Adding another strand of competition to the ARC has the potential to boost entry numbers and provides an even greater opportunity for teams at all levels of rallying to get involved in a national Championship round," he continued.

"Best of all the 'State of Origin Challenge' will allow competitors who may not normally be in the position to challenge for an outright win on their own, compete alongside other teams from their home state to win a nationally recognised award."

Each team must comprise of at least three crews - up to a maximum of five – however, each state may field more than one team.

While invitations will be issued by ARCom to each State Rally Panel to nominate a team to represent their State/Territory, competitors are encourage to form their own teams and approach their local state panel for 'State of Origin' endorsement.

To be eligible, teams must consist of at least one 2WD vehicle, and each crew must be comprised of a driver and co-driver who competed in at least three State Rally Championship (or highest level series) rounds in 2007/8 in the State which they have been nominated to represent.

ARCom Chairman Colin Trinder said the requirement of a 2WD entry was introduced to ensure the 'State of Origin Challenge' would attract participants from all levels of rallying.

"The objective of the 'State of Origin Challenge' is to spread the representation across all ranks of rallying, from grass roots to those competitors already tackling the ARC," said Trinder.

"The state versus state challenge will engender interest and hopefully increase the number of state level participants involved in Rally SA."

For further information on the competition or Rally South Australia, please contact the Rally SA office on (08) 8212 2800.

"Come to South Australia and be part of the competition to determine once and for all who the best rally state in Australia is," said Stanelis.

Rally South Australia is being held in the Barossa valley and Adelaide Hills regions, from the 25 – 27th of July.

Note: At least 3 States must cause a team to be entered for the State of Origin Rally Challenge to be constituted.