Down the Drains – Sunday 28 November

Posted on by admin_archivehra

Down the Drains is confirmed for Sunday 28 November, 2021

  • Postponed from September due to COVID restrictions.
  • The 2021 version of “Down the Drain” Touring Assembly

Update from Organisers, 29 October 2021:

Motorsport Australia have approved Further Regulations for the 2021 Down the Drains Touring Assembly as below.

The original Supplementary Regulations remain with only the date change to Sunday November 28th 2021.

Note: No Motorsport Australia Licence is required for participation in a Touring Assembly.

All participants must be double vaccinated and be able to supply proof of vaccination to Event Secretary and/or Covid Marshall. It would be appreciated if entrants could supply copies of the following with their entry prior to the event:

  • Driver’s Civil Driving Licence.
  • Proof of vehicle registration or permit to be used on public roads.
  • Motorsport Australia Licences if applicable.
  • Car Club Membership for crew members if applicable.
  • Proof of vaccination for all crew members.

Further Regulations, Supplementary Regulations and entry form:

2021 Down the Drains Further Rgulations-321-1209-02-approved (pdf)Download
2021-Down the Drain Supp Regs v2, OCT 2021 (pdf format)Download
2021 Down the Drain Supp Regs v2, OCT 2021 (MS word doc)Download

NOTES: Despite what the supp regs say, NO Motorsport Australia licence is required for section 2.  This was a late alteration after a submission to MA by the organisers. Updated regs will posted as soon as they are available.

This event which will be a round of the 2021 Resto Country Spares HRA Standard Car Class.

This year’s event is a little different to previous events.

We are using the Pakenham Auto Club facilities in Keys Lane, Pakenham for the Start, Lunch Break and Finish.

No special car preparations are required although some form of compass is necessary and a trip meter is of value. All roads are easily passable by any normal passenger car.

Due to Covid distancing requirements: Could competitors please lodge copies of Motorsport Australia Licence (where applicable), Club Membership, Civil Licence and evidence that competing vehicle may be legally driven prior to the event by e-mail to tlatta@optusnet.com.au

The event is in two Sections:

Section 1 – The Novice Section:

Starting at 10.00am for the first car and finishing at 12.00pm. Relatively simple navigation, all Via Points are marked and numbered on the supplied maps. Remember we don’t want to get you lost, only to miss the occasional Via Point. We do however recommend a magnifying glass.

Lunch Break:

There will be approximately a 2 hour break between Sections 1 and 2.

This will enable those who are competing in both Section 1 and Section 2 to have a break, enjoy the barbeque and plot Section 2.

Section 2 – The Experts Section:

This is a longer more difficult section. It uses largely 1931 maps (some a little older) and will test even the most experienced competitors. However, again, we do not want you to get lost so we hope to take the occasional points off you on the way through.

First car starts at 2.00 pm and is due to finish at 4.30 pm. To ease your plotting on this section all Vias have been circled however you will still have to check the point and make sure you have everything correct.

So no excuse, come and have some fun, Sunday November 28, 2021.

Photo: Bob Watson/Kaye Kilsby on an earlier Down the Drains event.

Sunday Rally Garage, Sunday 14 November

Posted on by SteveH

EVENT FULLY SUBSCRIBED

Update 7 November

Sunday Rally Garage @ ProRally has reached its maximum allowed number of participants under COVID requirements and we are not adding to our list. There will be opportunities to attend next year at similar functions for those who have missed out.

Those who have nominated to attend are reminded that this Permitted Event has double COVID vaccination and QR Code check in requirements.

Update 4 November

This is a sports training event, running under a Motorsports Australia permit for insurance purposes. In line with COVID19 Regulations, attendees will require full COVID vaccination. There will be QR check-in at the ProRally premises. Bring your Rally car…plenty of parking available.

The HRA presents “Sunday Rally Garage” on Sunday 14th November, sponsored by ProRally Motorsport Fabrication.

A pleasant Sunday afternoon gathering of HRA Members featuring a classic Pater Fraser BBQ with Rally Cars to view. BBQ food by donation to Peter. Soft drinks and salads supplied by ProRally.

BYO Rally chairs and tables. And bring a “Toy”… there is plenty of parking.

Sunday 14 November, 12:00 md start, at ProRally Headquarters 50 Rushdale Street, Knoxfield. (Google map here.)

Please note that this event will be subject to COVID regulations, which will be confirmed nearer the event.

For Catering purposes we would like to know how many are attending. Please reply though hra-members@groups.io or the Facebook group. Contact Rob on 0414 560 688, email SCC@hra.org.au

pro rally logo

HRA October meeting

Posted on by SteveH

Zoom again for October meeting… Wednesday October 13, 8:00 pm AEDT

At our previous HRA meeting we arranged very special guest speaker Bruce Garland to drop in from lockdown in NSW.  It was a huge success and Bruce’s stories (and their delivery!) was well worth the effort.

Spurred on by this ‘Guest Speaker experience’, we have again organized something very special. 

Continue reading HRA October meeting

The Great Alpine Contest is now a book

Posted on by SteveH
cover of The Great Alpine Contest

The history of the Australian Alpine Rally 1921-2021

You cannot drive it this year but you can read about it in this new 250 page book just now available.

Written by Bob Watson with contributions from many that are currently HRA members, it is a wonderful tribute to 100 years of this uniquely Victoria event.  It details the rally (or trial) from its beginnings in 1921 as a promotional  tool for the Victorian Alpine region, the early competitors and the tortuous route right up the its place as a premier Australian championship rally event and now, an exciting and oversubscribed event for historic rally cars.  There is so much detail, side notes and stories in this book about the world’s second oldest car rally that no enthusiast’s bookshelf should be without it. 

You may have heard that each Alpine Rally crew member will each receive a book each in their competitor pack at its next running, and that’s true. The HRA has purchased and put aside enough copies for that. 

The HRA also has secured a limited number of additional copies that club members can buy.  Potential competitors are welcome to buy them too, but there will be another copy for you in your competitor pack if you successfully enter the next Alpine Rally of East Gippsland.

Each book is $35 plus $10 for postage.  (i.e.: $45 per book, posted.  2 books $90 posted.)

How to get one:

  1. Send an e-mail to our Treasurer Kerril Maloney treasurer@hra.org.au  with the following details:
    Your name
    HRA membership number
    Postal Address
    Telephone number (in case we need to check something)
    Number of books

  2. Make a direct deposit to the HRA bank account with the reference YOUR SURNAME and GAC
    For example: TURNERGAC   (this is VERY important)
    BSB: 033050 Account Number: 143422

Once we match your e-mail to a payment, your Great Alpine Contest book will be posted to you.

Should you miss out, they are also available from Bob Watson directly from his website (www.bobwatsonrally.com.au) or from the Rallysport Magazine shop (rallysportmag.com/shop)

In the future, they will be available at a club meeting for purchase (if not sold out) which will save you the postage fee (but not the fuel to get to the meeting).  That might be December or February. But who knows. 

Don’t delay. Order yours by email today.  

Next Rally Retro Festival in 2023

Posted on by SteveH

The 2021 Rally Retro Festival in February was a cracker despite Covid restrictions.

The HRA plans to run the next Rally Retro Festival on the last Saturday in February 2023. The year gap is partly because that was always the plan (to run every second year) and partly because organizing for a February 2022 event has been severely restricted throughout this year.

Continue reading Next Rally Retro Festival in 2023