Intense racing at Rainbow

Spectators at the second annual Rainbow Desert Enduro can expect fierce competition to unfold this weekend as Australia’s leading off-road racing fraternity locks horns in the southern Mallee.

An Australian Off Road Racing Championship is up for grabs as well as Rainbow enduro honours and the challenge for most will be finding a way to upset pacesetting series leader Shannon Rentsch.

Rentsch, in Pro Buggy class, has so far won both championship rounds, including the Finke Desert Race in Central Australia and St George 399 in Queensland.

A win at Rainbow, the third and final round, will give him a clean sweep of the series.

But he faces a considerable challenge with the quality of this year’s racing field up on last year, as drivers and their teams from across Australia prepare for Rainbow’s testing 80-kilometre circuit.

There is plenty at stake for outright and class championship contenders, with increased points available across the weekend.

A challenging and gruelling event last year, Victorian Off Road Racing Association, in partnership with Rainbow community, is promising a bigger and better event this year after significant track and facility works.

New jumps

Track changes have organisers predicting closer racing between classes and the addition of three jumps, including one near a primary spectator area, promising plenty of spectacular action.

Hindmarsh Shire Council, with support from Graincorp and West Wimmera Health Service, is strongly backing the event.

Mayor Ron Ismay, from Rainbow and part of a busy community effort to prepare the town for the enduro, said preparations were in full swing.

“Everyone is on board and with people busy on working bees been all systems go,” he said.

“You don’t see this type of event too often in a small country town and if anyone is thinking about visiting the southern Mallee and dropping into Rainbow, this is the ideal time.

“Whether it is getting up close to the drivers and their vehicles, which will be in the main street during scrutineering on Friday afternoon, or watching the action the next day, Rainbow is the place to be, especially if you are interested in motor sport.

“We’ve put in a hell of a lot of work, putting in fences and developing spectator facilities.

“And we’ll continue to develop the project. This sport is only getting bigger and more popular.

“You need everything you can get when you’re in the bush to keep things ticking over.”

The Rainbow enduro is a confirmed leg of the national series up until 2020. it’s

This weekend’s event has attracted 45 entries, slightly down on last year’s inaugural race, but the field features a greater percentage of high-profile competitors.

Rentsch, with his co-driver and father Ian, leads the outright drivers series from SXS Turbo drivers Toby Whateley and Jeff Mcniven.

Greg Gartner, who won overall at Rainbow last year, is back, as is Justin Watt with his ‘What the?... Motorsport’ Trophy Truck and others such as Nathan Monk.

The Rainbow Desert Enduro will fire up on Friday afternoon with scrutineering and family entertainment in Rainbow’s main street.

On-track action starts on Saturday morning with a prologue, followed by racing on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

Camping is available at Rainbow Recreation Reserve.

An early weather forecast for Rainbow is for windy conditions on Friday and fine weather across the weekend.