Marathon cars to join East Coast Classic

Rally cars that have competed in marathon events will be eligible to take part in the third annual East Coast Classic Rally - the first time these cars have had a category of their own in an Australian event.

The only event of its kind run in NSW,  the 2002 Classic will run from March 14 to 17 (inclusive) next year and will include the marathon category in addition to its existing competition and touring categories for pre-1978 cars.

Under the ECC’s new rules, the driver of any car which has taken part in a fully sanctioned marathon event, and has appropriate proof of that involvement, will be eligible to compete in the new class.

Rated as a national event on the CAMS calendar, the Classic uses special competitive stages on closed sections of sealed public roads, and racetracks including Mount Panorama, Oran Park and Eastern Creek.

For the third year the event will be sponsored by the Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales.

MAA General Manager, David Bowen, says the MAA Board has decided once again to sponsor the Classic because it provides a unique opportunity to deliver key road safety messages directly to motoring enthusiasts.

"Because the participating vehicles are ‘classics’, the Drive Safely East Coast Classic draws wide public cross-sectional appeal at every stage," said Mr Bowen.

"The event is tightly controlled with timed segments completely closed to the public and monitored carefully by emergency medical and safety crews. Drivers wear full protective clothing including helmets.

"These factors help the Drive Safely East Coast Classic’s message to the community that real motorsport is conducted under controlled, supervised conditions."

Welcoming the MAA’s continued involvement, event director John Flower says the marathon category has been included after repeated requests from drivers who competed in events such as the 1968, 1977, 1993 and 2000 London to Sydney marathons and the Panama-Alaska.

"It’s a fantastic chance for the owners of these cars to shake out the dust and spiders from vehicles that otherwise sit around for a long time between events," said Flower.

"Including the marathon class will enhance the event for all concerned. If the cars and drivers can survive the conditions that marathons throw up at them, they’ll think they’re in heaven on the sealed roads we use.

"Our regular competitors are mindful of their responsibility to the MAA and to their sport, and the marathon cars will be another way of taking that safety message to the wider community."

As well as marathon cars, entries in the 2002 Drive Safely East Coast Classic rally are now open for pre-1978 cars which can enter either competition (against the clock) or touring (average speed) categories.

The 2002 Drive Safely East Coast Classic Rally starts in Sydney on Thursday, March 14, travels south to Camden and Picton, then through the Blue Mountains and west to Bathurst. Three nights are spent in Bathurst with most of the driving done in the Orange, Blayney and Oberon region before finishing in Sydney on the afternoon of Sunday, March 17.

Entries in this year’s rally were drawn from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and WA. Vehicles taking part included a 1950 Bentley Special, Jaguars, Porsches, BMWs, Ferraris, Alfas and Volvos as well as Australian ‘classics’ such as Toranas and Falcons.

The event is organised in co-operation with five NSW Police regions, nine local councils, the NSW Ambulance service, Paramedical and emergency rescue teams and over 300 volunteer officials.