READY TO ROLL:
The southern Mallee town of Rainbow is set become a hive of activity involving all things motors and muscle this weekend with the inaugural Rainbow Desert Enduro. Pictured preparing for the big event on a test-run visit to Rainbow are, left, driver Peter Stevenson and car owner and Victorian Off Road Racing Association president Brett Price.
Australian Off Road Championships will reach a dramatic climax this weekend when competitors from across the country take on a new and challenging 75-kilometre circuit at Rainbow.
Organisers of the first annual Rainbow Desert Enduro have been frantically preparing for the event and promise visitors a huge weekend of motor sport.
Event committee member and Hindmarsh Shire councillor Ron Ismay said the build-up had been hectic and a dedicated effort from all involved had been impressive.
“The plan is that by the end of the week it will be all sorted. It is quite exciting,” he said.
“As well as organisers coming up from Melbourne, we have everyone in and around the town doing their bit. There’s Lions club members, the Scouts, footy club, school and everyone else we can muster to get involved.
“From what we can gather we’re expecting visitors from far and wide. There are a lot of people talking about it so we’re not sure how many we’re going to get here.”
Some predictions are that Rainbow’s population will swell by more than 1000.
The Rainbow Desert Enduro is the third and final leg of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Australian Off Road Championships.
A community welcome featuring a variety of activities and attractions in Rainbow’s main street from 3pm on Friday will launch the event.
Championship racing will feature two laps on Saturday and five laps on Sunday.
“We have about 60 entries, including one from Townsville, a couple from Western Australia and Shannon Rentsch, who was the Finke Desert Race winner,” Cr Ismay said.
“We have a bit of rain coming but that’s actually a good thing. It will make the course very challenging in certain areas.”
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy will be among guests at the event, which represents further consolidation of the region’s ability to present high-level motor sport. Some of the multi-terrain vehicles racing in the event are capable of speeds of up to 240 kilometres an hour.
Victorian Off Road Racing Association is driving the event in partnership with the Hindmarsh council, West Wimmera Health Service, Graincorp and the State Government.