AMSAG training rally at Vulcan Forest

On March 7, 2020, the Australian Motor Sport Action Group (AMSAG) ran a rally training day in Vulcan State Forest, centred on Black Springs. It was organised by Ron Moore who is probably best known around the area for his rally car sponsored by the local Reliance Bank.

The training ran over roads in two parts of the forest with a good combination of fast straights, twisty corners, places where caution was required and a bit of rough stuff to test car durability and the drivers' mechanical compassion. I've been in a lot of forests around NSW and I believe the forests around Oberon are as good as they get for rallying.

Rain over the previous few days could have caused a problem but the roads drained well and there was even some dust. Although it wasn't competitive, cars were timed using the same methods used in competition and codrivers were provided with the normal instructions. There was a service and refuelling park for crews to practise setting up and to learn the rules about what they could and could not do. (The service park was a Workcover NSW official workplace, so WH&S rules applied.) Beginners could learn how to be officials, and I even got to learn how to use the new lens for my Nikon camera. Some experienced crews used the day to test their cars and crews before the start of the official competition season.

This was an excellent way for competitors, crews and officials to learn how to do things in the same way that that would happen in a normal rally. It brought everything together in a meaningful way. AMSAG should be congratulated for providing the opportunity to both newcomers to the sport and old seasoned campaigners to practise in a realistic environment.

You can read a full report of the event plus see a lot of pictures at ausrally.com.

An edited version of this story appeared in the Oberon Review on March 12, 2020


(I have no idea why I didn't get a byline this time but became an "observer" instead. At least
I got credit for the photographs.)