Enduro championship scheduled
An off-road racing event based in the southern Mallee settlement of Rainbow has confirmed its position in a national championships schedule.
As part of a three-year deal, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, CAMS, confirmed Rainbow Desert Enduro would be the third and final round of its Australian Off Road Championships from August 10 to 12 next year.
A St George 399 May 4 to 6 event in New South Wales will be the opening round and the Finke Desert Race in Alice Springs from June 9 to 11 will be the second round.
The success of the Rainbow and St George events this year ensured their inclusion in Australia’s premier off-road championship.
CAMS Motor Sports Events general manager Michael Smith said he was expecting big things from the two events in their second year.
“The St George 399 and the Rainbow Desert Enduro came on board with the championship earlier this year and provided new challenges for Australia’s best offroad competitors,” he said.
“The feedback we received about both events was fantastic; competitors loved the newly-con- structed course at St George and the support the Rainbow Desert Enduro received from the locals in western Victoria was amazing.”
Hindmarsh Shire Council chief executive Greg Wood said this year’s inaugural event at Rainbow was a huge success.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our wonderful wide-open spaces and friendly communities,” he said.
“We look forward to the enduro continuing to grow in stature and becoming a ‘must visit’ event for off-road racers and off-road fans.”
Victorian Off Road Racing Association strongly backed the Rainbow Desert Enduro in partnership with the Hindmarsh council, West Wimmera Health Service, Graincorp, the State Government and critically, the Rainbow district community.
The event involves competitors from across Australia racing on a challenging 75-kilometre circuit.
Some of the multi-terrain vehicles that race in the event are capable of speeds up to 240 kilometres an hour.
The Rainbow Desert Enduro has put Rainbow on the national motorsport map and has already provided economic benefits to Rainbow district.