Alpine Rally Survey

Posted on by SteveH

Why does the Alpine Rally need a survey?

Quite simply the Historic Rally Association (HRA) is at a crossroads in regard to the Alpine Rally’s future.

In its current form, a multi-day special event, the club has neither the qualified administration personnel nor a Clerk of Course, for such an event. In a reduced format, with fewer days and competitive kilometres, it may not be the case.

This survey serves multiple purposes. It identifies what the competitors want in regard to the event format and style, the demand for this type of event and it may even reveal other interested parties who might wish to take on the challenge of directing an Alpine Rally.

It does not signify that the HRA is not interested in running events. We have over seven events on the calendar for 2024.

Rather, it acknowledges that we have run ‘the big one’ and we don’t have the capability at present for another ‘big one’. It also respects The Alpine Rally and the fact that this event and its history is not just one club’s event but an event that belongs to all who are interested in and support the rally aspect of motorsport in Australia.

Please take a moment… use the link below, complete the survey and let us know what you think about the 101th, and beyond, Alpine Rally.

Yours in motorsport,
Stephen Young
HRA President

Use this link:
Survey: Future Alpine Rally Ideas

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.  

HRA support for bushfire recovery in East Gippsland

Posted on by SteveH

The HRA has many friends in East Gippsland. Of particular note are all those people and organisations who assist in making the Alpine Rally of East Gippsland the biggest competitive gravel rally in Australia every two years.

The HRA committee and the Alpine organising team would like to demonstrate to our friends in East Gippsland the support we have provided. The support will be in numerous different ways, some of which are yet to be organized.

Continue reading HRA support for bushfire recovery in East Gippsland