OFF-ROAD racers pushed their cars to the limit last month when the South Eastern Automobile Club hosted its latest rallycross event.
Popular in the 1960s and 70s, the style – which sees drivers race side by side around a dirt circuit – was reintroduced to the club late last year after much deliberation by members.
On October 19 at SEAC Park, skills were tested on a 1.2km dirt track, with Sam Thomas taking out first place driving a 4WD Subaru WRX and Damien Wilson runner-up behind the wheel of a rear-wheel-drive Nissan Silvia.
Former club president and rally driver Kevin Raedel said older generation members were keen to give it a go and youth thought it was a “cool” skill to learn.
“It is an old style which was stopped a long time ago, but people wanted to try it out,” Raedel said.
“Drivers like Peter Brock were famous for it back in the day.
“It is good to see it make a comeback as it is really another way to have some cheap fun.”
Raedel said the idea had been a work-in-progress for the past couple of years.
“Rallycross had been kicked around the club for a long time before being brought back in 2018,” he said.
“The club does have a series of competitions through the year, but it is also great to have a bit of non-competitive fun too.”
In his 27th year driving, Raedel said he enjoyed the challenge because every corner was different.
“I do not think there was any specific technique to driving other than driving as fast as you can, use your breaks wisely and hope for the best,” Raedel said.
“It is important because quicker cars dig holes and just make a mess.
“I have not been involved in any serious accidents as of yet, but I have came close and have been lucky.”
Raedel said the was going strong, featuring at the Mount Gambier Spring Show for another consecutive year last weekend.
“The show allows us to give back to the community,” he said.
“I think the club has changed with the times and we have gone from older cars to much faster ones.
“The biggest change for cars would be the suspension and tires, while our dirt track and maintenance is definitely much better than it was before.”
Raedel said historical club registration had allowed the club to expand over the recent years and new members were always welcomed.
“You do not need to compete or be a rallydriver to be a part of the club,” he said.
