Rally Wairarapa goes Classical ...

[sollitt]

The committee of the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa have pleasure in announcing a new addition to our programme for 2010 and beyond.

In recognition of the steady growth that the sport is experiencing in competitors preparing and campaigning classic rally cars, and the subsequent demand for events in which to use them, we have created a supplementary event to run in conjunction with our annual NZRC & CRRS round.

The Wairarapa has enjoyed a long association with rallying at all levels, including both National Championship and the World Championship rounds as far back as the 70’s and utilising a number of the special stages that we still use today.

In considering this history together with the nature and intent of the new event we could think of no more worthy person to honour with it than long time local competitor and former National Champion, the late Malcolm Stewart.

A driver whose career covered 4 decades, Malcolm embodied everything rallying is about - learned practicality and a tenacious will to succeed together with a humbling sense of fair play and respect and comradery with and for his fellow competitors.

So it is with the gracious approval of Sue Stewart that this new event for classic rally cars will be called the “Malcolm Stewart Classic Rally”.

Running parallel with the NZRC round and with continued support from our principle sponsors, Trusthouse & Racetech, the Malcolm Stewart Classic Rally will comprise 15 special stages held over two days and totalling approximately 260 kilometres of smooth gravel roads.

Eligibility criteria for the Malcolm Stewart Classic Rally will be the same as those applicable to the very successful Otago Classic Rally and will be appended to the publicity brochure soon to be published, on the website (currently under construction), and in the supplementary regulations.

All entrants in the Malcolm Stewart Classic Rally will also be classified as starters in the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa with the overall winning crew being awarded the prestigious Malcolm Stewart Classic Trophy.

The timing of the 2010 event on the weekend of September 11 & 12 make it the ideal event for those Silver Fern competitors wanting a prior shakedown or perhaps wishing to extend their NZ rallying experience. Additionally adopting the same eligibility rules as the Otago Classic rally has enabled the 2 events to combine in a series which will be known as the Classic Challenge Trophy.

Should you wish to receive information on the Malcolm Stewart Classic Rally, the Classic Challenge Trophy or the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa please email your request to [email:1xawqg9r]bsollitt@xtra.co.nz[/email:1xawqg9r]

We look forward to hosting you.

[Stalks]

Bruce, will your car be ready for this event?

I hear Brian Green is going to drive the other nice Celica being built on the Silver Fern, maybe you could be ready for that?

[sollitt]

It's too early to say. We've just bought a donor car to provide some frontal bits (probably the last one still registered & warranted & driving in NZ) but as it's a liftback and not a coupe we're still on the hunt for some rear bits. Nevertheless I'd like to think we can have the car running in one spec or another by September.

In truth though I'm on a plane to Europe immediately following Wairarapa and not back until 2 weeks before Silver Fern so I imagine I'll be officiating at the Wy and watching the Fern.