[AshSimmonds]

Do you want the Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally to remain in the region or would you rather all councils refused permission for road closures? Vote in our online poll:

http://www.victorharbortimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/rally-riles-up-residents/2496998.aspx?storypage=0

Rally riles up residents

BY JULIA BECKETT

YANKALILLA DISTRICT - A decision by Yankalilla council to allow road closures once again for the annual Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally has some locals fuming.

Myponga residents Barry and Natalie Webb said the council didn't even bother to consult with residents affected by the road closures before making its decision.

Mr Webb said more than 60 homes in Myponga Beach would be affected by the closure.

"We don't mind taking our turn, but it's the same roads every time.

"They just take the word of the rally organisers that everything works fine, without checking with residents."

Southern Districts Car Club president Andrew Admiraal attended the March 15 council meeting, to answer questions about the event, scheduled for May 18-20.

He advised that this year's rally would see its vehicle service park moved from Victor Harbor to the Yankalilla showgrounds, to reward the district for its support.

"As Yankalilla has been so supportive of us last year, we are wishing to enhance the amount of time we spend in the immediate region and hopefully give something back to the area."

He said that while residents never like road closures, organisers did their best to accommodate their movements.

The rally requires closure of Forktree Road and Reservoir Road between 8.45am and 1.45pm and Inman Valley Road from 7.23am to 12.23pm, both on Saturday, May 19.

Several incidents at last year's event, including a serious crash on Crows Nest Road, Port Elliot, caused an extension to road closures throughout the region.

There were also complaints of rubbish and signage left behind, of oil left on the road, and of rude and uncooperative rally marshalls.

Two councillors, Simon Rothwell and John Sanderson, spoke strongly against allowing road closures for the rally.

Cr Rothwell said he had been approached by several residents with complaints about how the rally had been run in previous years.

He queried whether it gave any real benefit to the district and said that as council had no staff monitoring the event it was unable to reconcile the disparity between residents' complaints and the organisers' report on the event.

"I believe they did not stick to the rules last year, but how would we know to judge?"

Cr Sanderson said the rally condoned hoon behaviour on the road, given that normal road rules and speed restrictions do not apply.

"I don't believe it's appropriate for people to go herbing around on dangerous roads at speeds higher than recommended," he said.

"I don't want it here on our roads and I don't believe the majority of people down here do either."

The vote went 5-2 in favour of the road closures, with cr Louise Allstrom saying that anything that brought people into the district was a good thing.

Alexandrina Council has refused permission for its roads to be closed for this year's event, while the City of Victor Harbor will close Range Road to accommodate the rally.

Mr Admiraal told The Times this event was the only one to base its headquarters in the region, at Mclaren Vale, rather than shuttling participants in from Adelaide.

"It's logistically sensible and it brings people in over several days.

"Nothing happens on the Fleurieu in the winter; this brings some activity to the region."

[AshSimmonds]

PR

Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally introduces Rookie Category in 2012

First time competitors will have an opportunity to try Tarmac Rallying in the inaugural Rookie Category over day three of the 2012 Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally. 

Cars and drivers will still need to comply with all of the requirements of the event and the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS), and Rookies are encouraged to take advantage of the advice and assistance of scrutineers and event organisers to get them prepared.

“Scrutineering is a process, rather than a pass / fail situation.  If the car doesn’t meet the standards, scrutineers will advise what needs to be done and help a competitor make the necessary changes”, says event organiser, Michael Clements.  “The idea (of scrutineering) can be intimidating to first time competitors, but they just need to remember it’s about keeping everybody safe”

Once cleared to start, Rookies will get the full rally experience, learning about servicing, time controls, road cards and pace notes.  “Rallying is very technical; it’s not just about driving fast over the competitive stages” says Clements.

Entries for the event have opened, and more information for competitors, spectators and officials can be found on the event website www.ahtr.com.au. 

For further information, or to arrange an interview contact Andrew Admiraal on 0403 116 400

[anotherforumuser]

93% of people polled said the Rally should stay in the region... Finally some community support for car events

[Trex rally]

This event will run again on closed roads in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.
The event starts on Friday 18 May and finishes on Sunday 20 May.
The Prologue will be at Mallala Raceway.
In addition to the Modern and Classic full Competition categories, the event has a Thoroughbred Challenge category for uncaged cars (or for owners of caged cars who are not interested in high speed competition) which is in the nature of a regularity competition, plus a tour category for escorted exotic cars and a new Rookie Competition category which is limited to the Sunday stages.
Details can be found here:
http://www.asprally.com/Home.aspx