The Shamrock Haulage Rally of Bathurst delivered a thrilling opening round of the season, with strong competition across both the Shamrock Haulage NSW Rally Championship (NSWRC) and the NSW Clubman Rally Series (CRS).
At the front of the NSWRC field, Richie Dalton and Mac Kierans took a hard-fought victory in their Toyota GR Yaris AP4, emerging on top after a fast and demanding day of stages around Mount Panorama and the forests of Sunny Corner.
Finishing second outright were Darren Sweeney and Connor Woods in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, marking a strong result in a new car for the team after previously campaigning a Subaru. The pair adapted quickly to the Evo, delivering a consistent performance to not only secure second outright but also claim Production Cup honours.
Rounding out the NSWRC podium were Tony Sullens and Julia Barkley in their Peugeot 208 AP4, continuing their reputation as front-runners in the championship.
There were also strong performances across the two-wheel-drive categories.
Dean Ridge and Muireann Hayes took victory in the 2WD Pocket Rocket class in their Ford Fiesta G4, while James O’Malley and Jono Forrest claimed the 2WD 1601–2000cc class in their Toyota 86 after an impressive run inside the top ten outright.
In the 2WD 2001cc and over class, the ever-popular Jeffrey David and Grant Geelan thrilled spectators in their Porsche 911, taking the class win with their distinctive rear-engine machine.
In the NSW Clubman Rally Series, it was Dennis Stanford and Luke Stanford who claimed outright honours in their Subaru Impreza WRX STI RA, delivering a strong performance to lead the field.
Second outright in Clubman went to Damian Nugent and Seth Nugent in their Mitsubishi Lancer, in what was an outstanding result in their very first rally. The father-and-son pairing impressed with a confident and consistent drive to secure a podium finish on debut.
Completing the Clubman podium were Daniel McAloon and Patrick Miskelly in their Ford Escort Mk2, who also secured victory in the CRS 2WD category.
Additional class honours in Clubman saw Dennis Stanford and Luke Stanford take CRS 4WD honours, while Anthony McVeigh and Jason Browne claimed the CRS 2WD Pocket Rocket class in their Honda Civic.
The Rally of Bathurst once again showcased the depth of talent across both championships, with a mix of experienced competitors and emerging crews tackling some of the best rally roads in New South Wales.
With strong performances across all categories and a variety of machinery on display, the event sets the tone for an exciting season ahead in both the Shamrock Haulage NSW Rally Championship and the NSW Clubman Rally Series.
Photo: Roy Meuronen Photography