Entries up for third Rainbow enduro

Rainbow Desert Enduro has attracted record numbers of entries with 55 crews pencilled in for this weekend’s event.

Enduro activities in Rainbow, representing the final round of the BFGoodrich CAMS Australian Off Road Championship as well as CAMS Victorian Off Road Championship and a Victorian Off Road Club Shield, are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Many competitors feature in returning crews, which have cut their teeth on the southern Mallee circuit from the previous two Rainbow events, including last year’s winner Shannon Rentsch in his Pro Buggy.

Extreme 2Wd-category competitors Justin Watt and Greg Gartner will also return to Rainbow and are likely to again impress the crowd as they fly over a finish-line jump between each lap. Competitors will travel more than 500 kilometres along the tough desert track during Saturday and Sunday as they complete the 75-kilometre track seven times.

The enduro is quickly building a reputation as one of the toughest enduros in Australia due to the harsh conditions of the track, especially when rain transforms sections into mud.

Rainbow community has been busy preparing for the event, which starts with a party-like welcome in a closedoff main street on Friday night. The gathering provides onlookers and fans with a chance to experience a scrutineering process and have a closer look at the cars as they line the street.

District enthusiasts have also planned a vintage-car display for people interested in general motoring.

Organisers have reported the Rainbow track to be ‘shaping up nicely’ with winter rain settling dust.

A Rainbow committee has been working in preparing main spectator sites, with upgrades on Bow Hill to help people enjoy the race.

A Graincorp Bow Hill primary race base, less than a kilometre west of Rainbow, will feature a range of food and beverage outlets, run by district committees.

Organisers have invited volunteers keen to help out and get involved during the weekend to call Tony Carabott on 0422 887 333.