BMSC HISTORY


The origin of the BMSC


One cold Canberra winter’s night during 1970 in the Corin Motors showroom (at their original premises on the corner of Newcastle and Collie Streets Fyshwick) the Renault Car Club of Australia – Canberra Branch (RCCC) was born. Seven years later, in July 1977 this club underwent a name change to become the Brindabella Motor Sports Club (BMSC). The club is still running strongly today and, over the years, has produced a number of local, state and national champions in the fields of Rallies, Motorkhanas and Hillclimbs, as well as many successful circuit racers. It therefore seems somewhat ironic that the birth place of the BMSC now houses a bicycle shop!

Background

During early 1970 Corin Motors, the Renault agent in Canberra was selling quite a number of the new Renault R10 sedans. While modestly powered, these cars had good performance with very sporty handling and braking for their day. With four wheel discs, rack and pinion steering and four speed floor shift, combined with good economy and light weight, their performance was well ahead of the mainly drum braked, three speed column shift, sloppy steering boxed opposition of the larger and more ungainly Holdens, Falcons and Valiants of the day.

Understandably customers wanted to take advantage of the sportiness of their new Renaults by using them in motorsport events in conjunction with other like-minded owners. Thus, with the assistance of Corin Motors and a few enthusiastic owners, word was circulated that a new car club was to be formed.

A couple of my mates had purchased new Renault R10s at that time and they encouraged myself and several other friends to attend this inaugural meeting. I think the meeting may have been chaired by a representative of the Renault Car Club of Australia (RCCA) with whom we became affiliated. Each of the forty attendees was required to stand up, introduce themselves and describe their choice of vehicle. All was going well – “I’m David Coles and I drive a Renault 10”, “I’m Terry Sellwood and I drive a Renault 10”, “I’m Wally Pywell and I drive a Renault 10” etc., until my mate next to me got up and said “I’m Geoff Philpott and I drive a Volkswagen”!!!! When the booing and hissing had finally died down it was my turn – “I’m John Stewart and I drive an FJ Holden”!!!!! This was followed by “I’m Russell Stenhouse and I drive a Holden Monaro GTS 350! Perhaps not exactly what Corin Motors and the RCCA had in mind. Anyway, vehicle variety was introduced on the first night of what became informally known as the Renault Car Club of Canberra (RCCC). That variety of vehicles and motorsport interests continued to diversify within the club and ultimately led to the name change to the Brindabella Motor Sports Club (BMSC) seven years later in July 1977.

Motorsport

Initially the RCCC ran treasure hunts, economy runs and navigation events but soon became very strongly motorkhana oriented. Rallying followed, initially in the form of novice events, which could be entered in road cars on road tyres using the standard trip meter in the original speedo to measure distance.

The first rally I entered was in my supercharged EH Holden complete with road tyres and drum brakes! The now well known motoring writer, Paul Gover, was heard to ask at the time if this was Harry Firth’s secret weapon. Needless to say it didn’t turn out to be any secret weapon, but we had a lot of fun before it expired with mechanical problems. I also seem to recall that we headed Gover on the road at one stage before our eventual DNF.

The RCCC, under the direction of Peter “Flash” Flanagan, introduced the concept of a Dawn Motorkhana held on ANZAC Day each year. This event continued to be run very successfully for many years by the BMSC as well. Sometimes, while standing around the fire waiting for dawn so the event could commence, it was necessary to partake of a warming beverage (not always coffee) and this occasionally led to some silly ideas such as blindfold motorkhana. It was still dark, the driver was blindfolded, the navigator was not necessarily sober, and only verbal instructions could be given. The driver felt certain that his infallible sense of direction would assist. But after the first flag he became disoriented and had to rely totally on the navigator, in whom he had little faith anyway. A recipe for great fun and also potential disaster, as a few near misses against the fence could testify. Eventually the day finally dawned and the real motorkhana competition could commence on the still frosty grass.

The motorsport calendar for the first six months of 1971 was listed in Spokes as follows:

Jan 17 - Motorkhana

Jan 30-1 Feb - Renault Interclub Challenge at Jugiong

Feb 7 - Economy Run

Mar 7 - Lap Dash

Apr 22 - Novice Trial (i.e. a Rally in today’s terms)

May 23 - Treasure Hunt

Jun 5-7 - Motorkhana, Trial, Concours, Lap Dash, Social event.

Jun 13 - Motorkhana.

It seems that we had more events at that time than we do now.

The event at Jugiong involved competing against Renault car clubs from around Australia over three days during the January long weekend. The club that scored the most points won the event. Unfortunately some clubs were a bit more purist and took it more seriously than others so they were a bit surprised to find V8 Holdens and other assorted non-Renault machines running in the same event as a beetle backed Renault 750cc or a Dauphine. I distinctly recall noticing a number of deckchairs being hurriedly moved backwards out of range as I appeared sideways out of a cloud of dust taking a very wide line in a motorkhana in my 5 litre Holden.

After all the motorsport events had been completed for the day we often adjourned to the Jugiong Pub and took up our positions on the upstairs verandah with a cool drink. Now Jugiong only has one street, so in order for the local lads to “do laps” in their vehicles they had to do a U-turn opposite the pub. This resulted in some good natured heckling from the upstairs verandah which was not always taken in the spirit in which it was intended. One time the locals returned a few minutes later with a rifle and aimed it at us from the opposite park! Only one of our number was drunk enough to continue heckling so we quickly subdued him as we lay on the floor out of sight of the potential shooters - if not actually out of range! Fortunately the locals quickly moved on, apparently satisfied that they shown those city folk a thing or two about life in the bush.

Spokes

The very first SPOKES magazine of the RCCC was dated October 1970 and advised that CAMS affiliation had been granted in principle on 23 October 1970 so motorsport activities could officially commence. The magazine of the Renault Car Club of Australia, of which we were the Canberra sub-branch, was and still is entitled “THE HUB”. If my memory serves me correctly, we therefore concluded that our magazine should be the spokes of this hub. This also enabled the editor to call himself the “Spokesman”. It all seemed quite clever at the time.

The October 1970 issue of Spokes also contains the names of the forty foundation members of the club. To my knowledge, at least seven of these members are still actively involved in motorsport in 2010, 38 years later. In fact, three of us are currently still competing as drivers in hillclimbs and lap dashes, while two or three are currently planning a comeback to the driver’s seat. In addition, there are many more early members of RCCC/BMSC still competing today as members of SDMA (the Hillclimb club) and other clubs such as Bathurst Light Club.

The first SPOKES magazine of the BMSC was dated August 1977 and contained the Minutes of the General meeting dated 5 July 1977 at which the name change was proposed and carried.

I hope readers of this brief history of the BMSC can also continue to enjoy motorsport nearly forty years after they have commenced their participation.

John

Foundation Member of RCCC/BMSC


Life Members


Neal Bates
Mike Bell*
Sarah Bell
Adrian Dudok
Beb Fox*
John Malycha
Fiona McCubbin-Mee
Stephen Mee
Sharon Pratt
Wally Pywell
Jon Waterhouse
Phil Thornburn
Martin Holberton
*Deceased

BMSC Patrons


Len Cummine*
Bill O’Brien
Neal Bates
*Deceased.

BMSC Constitution


VIEW CONSTITUTION

Honour Roll


1978 – Greg Carr – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

1983 – Mick Harker – NSW Rally Champion (Co-Driver)

1987 – Greg Carr – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

1987 – Fred Gocentas – Australian Rally Champion (Co-Driver)

1989 – Greg Carr – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

1989 – Mick Harker – Australian Rally Champion (Co-Driver)

1989 – Ron Cremen – NSW Rally Champion (Driver)

1993 – Neal Bates – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

1994 – Neal Bates – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

1995 – Neal Bates – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

1996 – Tony Brandon – Australian Formula 2 Rally Champion (Co-Driver)

1996 – Rick Bates – NSW Rally Champion (Driver)

1998 – Rick Bates – Australian Formula 2 Rally Champion (Driver)

1999 – Col Trinder – NSW Rally Champion (Co-Driver)

2004 – Mitch Heffernan – NSW Rally Champion (Driver)

2008 – Neal Bates – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

2009 – Matt Sosimenko – NSW Clubman Rally Series winner (Co-Driver)

2009 – Stephen “Fro” Horobin – NSW Hyundai Excel Rally Series winner (Driver)

2009 – Kirrilee Gentleman – NSW Hyundai Excel Rally Series winner (Co-Driver)

2010 – Kate Murphy – NSW Hyundai Excel Rally Series winner (Co-Driver)

2012 – Mick Harding – NSW Rally Champion (Driver)

2012 – Kirrilee Gentleman – NSW Rally Champion (Co-Driver)

2012 – Rhys Pinter – NSW Hyundai Excel Rally Series winner (Driver)

2014 – Meng Chung – NSW Rally Champion (Driver)

2014 – Josh Hyde – NSW Hyundai Excel Rally Series winner (Driver)

2016 – Molly Taylor – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

2017 – Stephen Mee – Australian ARC2 - 2WD Champion (Driver)

2017 – Matthew Harriott – Australian ARC2 - 2WD Champion (Co-Driver)

2017 – Jim Gleeson – NSW Rally Champion (Co-Driver)

2017 – Trevor Stilling – Australian Classic Rally Challenge winner (Driver)

2017 – Tony Brandon – Australian Classic Rally Challenge winner (Co-Driver)

2018 – Andrew Penny – Australian Rally Championship ARC2 winner (Driver)

2018 – Rhys Llewellyn – Australian Rally Championship ARC2 winner (Co-Driver)

2019 – Jim Gleeson – NSW Rally Champion (Co-Driver)

2019 – Harry Bates – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

2022 – Lewis Bates – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)

2023 – Harry Bates – Australian Rally Champion (Driver)


Notable achievements of members:


1997 – Rick Bates – Winner of the Panama to Alaska Rally

2004 – Peter Taylor and Trevor Stilling finished 10th Outright (and 8th in Class) in the London to Sydney rally

2006 – Rick Bates – Winner of the Carrera Sudamericana Rally (South America)

2007 – Neal Bates – Winner of the Phil Irving Award (for engineering excellence)

2008 – Colin Trinder – Appointed Chairman of the Australian Rally Commission (ARCom)

2010 – Adrian Dudok – Awarded the CAMS Service Star

2014 – Neal Bates – Winner of the Peter Brock Medal (for his contribution to motor sport in the community)

2014 – Meng Chung – Meng is the first NSW State champion to have won the title in a 2WD car since 1991

2016 – Phil Thornburn – CAMS NSW Official of the Year

2016 – Molly Taylor – First female to win the ARC driver’s title

2017 – Harry Bates – youngest driver to win a round of the Australian Rally Championship

2020 – Harry Bates – Winner of the Peter Brock Medal (for his contribution to motor sport)

2022 – Maisie Place – Winner of the Motorsport Australia Coral Taylor Award for most outstanding achievement by a female in NSW/ACT


Brad Mansfield Club Person of the Year Award


The Brad Mansfield Club Person of the Year Award is voted on by BMSC Club members to recognise a member that they believe has done a lot for the club, not only for the current year but for their time with the club.

1977 – Chris Heaney

1978 – Chris Heaney

1979 – Andy Millett

1980 – Greg Lawrence and B Douch

1981 – Wally Pywell

1982 – Kevin Lovatt and Brian Reynolds

1983 – Bob Woolcott

1984 – Wayne Kenny

1985 – Mike Morris

1986 – Sharon Pratt

1987 – Dallas Dogger

1988 – Ted Faulds

1989 – Lyndall Drake

1990 – Ron Hall

1991 – Andrew Struik

1992 – Ivan Matthews

1993 – Lucy Glendhill

1994 – Adrian Dudok and Duncan Payne

1995 – Fiona McCubbin-Mee

1996 – Chester Crozier

1997 – Dougal Wilson

1998 – Col Trinder

1999 – David Stephens

2000 – John Green

2001 – John Malycha

2002 – Adrian Dudok

2003 – Fiona McCubbin-Mee

2004 – Martin Holberton

2005 – Michael Barrett and Thomas Barrett

2006 – Julie Lucas

2007 – Martin Holberton

2008 – Cheryl Holberton

2009 – Beb Fox

2010 – Beb Fox

2011 – Adrian Coppin

2012 – Michael Taylor

2013 – Martin Holberton

2014 – Martin Holberton

2015 – Peter Taylor

2016 – Phil Thornburn

2017 – Adrian Dudok

2018 – Martin Holberton

2019 – Martin Holberton

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – Cheryl Holberton

2023 – Cheryl Holberton


Peter Bamman Memorial Shield


The Shield is named in honour of rally navigator, Peter Bamman who was killed in a road accident in January 1979. Peter had been a regular navigator for Bill Palmer. Both had rallied in the eastern States and the ACT. Peter had been highly regarded in motor sport circles and had directed many rallies in the ACT, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria.

Awarded to the highest placed all BMSC crew, in the highest profile BMSC event. These have been ACT Regional Rally Series events, NSW State Championship events, Australian Championship events and FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship events.

1979 – P Gaudron / G Pigram

1980 – P Clark / M Harker

1981 – B Terrill / W Brocklebank

1982 – P Clark / M Harker

1983 – I Greenwood / R Greenwood

1983 – H Roppola / M Harker

1983 – P Lonergan / D Jorgensen

1984 – P Clark / M Harker

1985 – P Clark / W Kenny

1986 – N Belfield / M Taylor

1987 – N Bates / D Jorgensen

1988 – T Stilling / M Harker

1989 – M Morris / W Kenny

1990 – Not Awarded

1991 – L Gill / M Harker

1992 – Not Awarded

1993 – T Stilling / T Brandon

1994 – T Stilling / F Brookhouse

1995 – J Waterhouse / A Crawford

1996 – G Vaughan / S Causer

1997 – P Taylor / C Trinder

1998 – K Willett / T Batten

1999 – T MacFarlane / D MacFarlane

2000 – M Banyard / N Vardos

2001 – K Willett / G Austin

2002 – R Nunn / M Gentleman

2003 – J Stilling / D Stephens

2004 – J Stilling / D Stephens

2005 – J Stilling / M Gentleman

2006 – T Barrett / M Barrett

2007 – M Barrett / T Barrett

2008 – M Barrett / T Barrett

2009 – M Barrett / T Batten

2010 – J Stilling / A Crawford

2011 – P Taylor / M Taylor

2012 – J Parker / T Batten

2013 – M Patton / B Webb

2014 – A Coppin / T Batten

2015 – M Patton / B Webb

2016 – M Patton / B Webb

2017 – M Patton / B Webb

2018 – S Collison / J Burgemeister

2019 – M Patton / B Webb

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – M Harding / J Thornburn

2023 – M Harding / J Thornburn


Sportsperson of the Year


In 2010, the Club introduced a perpetual trophy for the Sports Person of the Year Award. It is awarded for Dedication, Commitment and enthusiasm for competing in their sport, without losing vision that they are doing it for fun, and compete with a firm sense of camaraderie and goodwill. Historically to the person who has done a lot of events at all levels of competition.

2008 – Julie Boorman

2009 – David Stephens

– Mick Gentleman

2010 – Jim Gleeson

2011 – Ray Baker

2012 – Mick Patton

2013 – Mick Harding

2014 – Meng Chung

2015 – Harry Bates

2016 – Harry Bates

2017 – Stephen Mee

2018 – Andrew Penny

2019 – Lewis Bates

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – Zach Bates

2023 – Zach Bates


Inflight Service Award


The Award was initiated in 2002 by Michael Gentleman as a way of recognising the people who work in the service park and have gone beyond the call of duty to make sure that people are always out there competing. The trophy is a spinner off the engine to a DC-3 Dakota aircraft.

2002 – Ian Moon

2003 – Paul McLean

2004 – Peter Kobold

2005 – Michael Plasto

2006 – Michael Taylor (Snr)

2007 – QWRX Motorsports Team

2008 – Matt Searle

2009 – Steve Nightingale

2010 – Stephen “Fro” Horobin

2011 – Tim Batten

2012 – Sam Elliot

2013 – Lance Arundel

2014 – Russell Battisson

2015 – Russel Winks

– Stephen Hodgkin

– Jean Pappilaud

2016 – Matt Bender

2017 – Steve Millar

2018 – Jon Waterhouse and Peter Taylor

2019 – Neal Bates Motorsport Team

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – Peter Taylor

2023 – Lance Arundel


Rookie Co-Driver of the Year


This award was initiated in 2005 by Matt Sosimenko as a way of recognising new co-drivers in the sport.

2005 – Julie Boorman

2006 – Renee Jeffery

2007 – Damien Hawkes

2008 – Kate Murphy

2009 – Ed Lee

2010 – Michael Taylor (Jnr)

2011 – Rhys Pinter

2012 – Dave Ballard

2013 – Harry Bates

2014 – Reece Lee

2015 – Ellie Yates

2016 – Tom Lavis

2017 – Peter Hellwig

2018 – Julia Clark

2019 - Luke Laffan

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – Sebastian Pierce

2023 – Zac Thornthwaite


Rookie Driver of the Year


This award is for new comers to the sport who have taken on some new challenges and have impressed.

2008 – Chris Hellessey

2009 – Adrian Coppin

2010 – Julie Boorman

2011 – Andrew Buerckner

2012 – Janelle Ballard

2013 – David Wright

2014 – Harry Bates

2015 – Kim Day

2016 – Peter Lavis

2017 – Lewis Bates

2018 – Shane Fahey

2019 – Chris Stilling

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – Jason Thornthwaite

2023 – Jason Thornthwaite


Co-Driver of the Year


Historically this is awarded to the co-driver that’s done the most events, or something outstanding or unusual - but also for being part of the ‘crew’ aspect of rallying.

1998 – Lyndall Drake

1999 – Col Trinder

2000 – Paul Bennett

2001 – Tim Batten

2002 – Paul Bennett

2003 – John de Sousa

2004 – David Stephens

2005 – Ray Baker

2006 – Tristan Kent

2007 – Julie Boorman

2008 – Kate Murphy

2009 – Kirrilee Gentleman

2010 – Carolyn Wilson

2011 – Tim Batten

2012 – Tim Batten

2013 – Ray Baker

2014 – Bernie Webb

2015 – Bernie Webb

2016 – Kirra Penny

2017 – Jim Gleeson

2018 – Rhys Llewellyn

2019 – Rhys Llewellyn

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – James Thornburn

2023 – James Thornburn


Official of the Year


The Official of the Year Award could go to all the officials who get out in the dust, the wind, the cold and the heat, but that’s not possible. Members are asked to nominate the officials that they see constantly putting in the hard work to ensure the rallies we run are well organised and to the highest standards possible. In 2011, the BMSC Committee initiated a perpetual trophy in recognition of the years of service given to the motorsport community by Beb Fox.

2007 – Martin Holberton

2008 – Jack Hoogland

2009 – Kirsti Murdoch

2010 – Paul Marando

2011 – John Malycha

2012 – Chris Cunningham

– Bill Murphy

– Vicky Murphy

2013 – Julie Lucas

– Jane Ward

2014 – James Clark and family

2015 – Di Stephens

2016 – WICEN (ACT)

2017 – Mick and Helen Nicholls

2018 – Kirsti Murdoch

2019 – Phil Thornburn

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – Tycho Petrie

2023 – Phil Thornburn


Encouragement Award


The Encouragement Award is presented to someone who’s shown a glimmer of hope, to a person who wants to be around for a long-time, but needs a bit of encouragement to keep them going.

2008 – Tristan Kent

2009 – Andrew Buerckner

2010 – Adrian Coppin

2011 – Sean Creegan

2012 – Janelle Ballard

2013 – Tim Baxter

2014 – Kim Day

2015 – Simeon Turk

2016 – Scott Simmonds

2017 – Julia Clark

2018 – Ed Krisenthal-Hunter

2019 – James Dimmock

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 – Daniel Smith

2023 – Chris Stilling

– Jason Thornthwaite


Canberra Times ACT Rally Champions (Gold Cup)


1973 – P Lonergan / A Denney

1974 – W Pywell / P Bowers

1975 – G Bevan / S Stewart / J MacDonald

1976 – P Gaudron / G Pigram

1977 – S Grigg / L McGrath

1978 – C Gabriel / J Willis

1979 – T Vince / G Pigram

1980 – C Gabriel / G Wolff

1981 – P Cole / G Norman

1982 – Not Awarded

1983 – J Waterhouse / T Brandon

1984 – N Belfield / M Taylor

1985 – 1990 – Not Awarded

1991 – J Waterhouse / R Whitty

1992 – P Taylor / C Trinder

1993 – K Somers / M Gentleman

1994 – T Stilling / M Gentleman

1995 – J Stilling / M Gentleman

1996 – J Boucher / T Batten

1997 – J Boucher / T Batten

1998 – K Willett / P Bennett

1999 – G Croker / J Stilling

2000 – C Waller / N Vardos

2001 – P Skinner / D Lane

2002 – R Nunn / M Gentleman

2003 – J Stilling / D Stephens

2004 – J Stilling / D Stephens / T Batten

2005 – K Dirickx / T Barrett

2006 – J Stilling / F Brookhouse

2007 – R Leitis / R Mules

2008 – R Day / M Forbes

2009 – M Barrett / K Martin

2010 – J Eastman / T Caldwell

2011 – B Cullen / M Cullen

2012 – J Parker / K Gentleman

2013 – M Harding / J Boorman

2014 – P Vlandis / S Hodgkin

2015 – R Winks / E Yates

2016 – R Winks / S Hodgkin

2017 – B Cullen / M McMinn

2018 – M Harding / M McMinn

2019 – A Penny / R Llewellyn

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – B Cullen / M McMinn

2022 – M Harding / L Pierce

2023 – B Cullen / M McMinn


ACT Clubman Series


1992 – John Holster

1993 – Karl Somers

1994 – Michael Barrett

1995 – David Cook

1996 – Matt Dyne

1997 – Jason Wall

1998 – Gavin Croker

1999 – Campbell Waller

2000 – Robert Sharp

2001 – Geoff Stewart

2002 – Peter Ewing

2003 – Russel Winks

2004 – Nathan Senior

2005 – Bede Austin

2006 – Peter Jeroe

2007 – Matt Thompson

2008 – Ian Jeffery

2009 – Dave Boyd

2010 – Mike Behnke

2011 – Andrew Buerckner

2012 – Darren McLanders

2013 – Denis Stevens

2014 – Meng Chung

2015 – Nathan Breese

2016 – Neil Roediger

2017 – Richard Thomas

2018 – Stephen “Fro” Horobin

2019 – Kelly Caruana

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – James Dimmock

2022 – Blake Stevens

2023 – Neil Roediger


ACT Novice Series


2000 – Guy Brown

2001 – Matthew Austin

2002 – Matt Thompson

2003 – Stephen “Fro” Horobin

2004 – Russell Battisson

2005 – Andrew Doyle

2006 – Kate Bowler

2007 – Ian Wilson

2008 – Ryan Price

2009 – Damien Powell

2010 – Julie Boorman

2011 – Andrew Buerckner

2012 – Rhys Pinter

2013 – David Wright

2014 – Josh Hyde

2015 – Simeon Turk

2016 – Kim Day

2017 – Andy Pierce

2018 – Wayne Borman

2019 – Chris Stilling

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – James Dimmock

2022 – Jacob Umback

2023 – Jason Thornthwaite


ACT Silver Cup


Award is open to two-wheel drive vehicles only.

2003 – Mark Sessions / Martino Ellero

2004 – Brett Wright / Roberts Edwards / Lucia Werner

2005 – Claude Murray / Lucia Werner

2006 – Claude Murray / Matt James

2007 – Claude Murray / Lizzy Ferme

2008 – Matt Thompson / Kirrilee Gentleman

2009 – Russel Winks / Kirrilee Gentleman

2010 – Jon Waterhouse / Carolyn Wilson

2011 – Andrew Buerckner / Nick Vardos

2012 – Russel Winks / Stephen Hodgkin

2013 – Russel Winks / Stephen Hodgkin

2014 – Meng Chung / Stephen Hodgkin

2015 – Russel Winks / Stephen Hodgkin

2016 – Russel Winks / Stephen Hodgkin

2017 – Russel Winks / Leigh Brimson-Pierce

2018 – Stephen “Fro” Horobin / Michael "MT" Taylor

2019 – Russel Winks / Stephen Hodgkin

2020 – Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 – Mike Behnke / Ellie Yates

2022 – Meng Chung / Peter Stringfellow

2023 – Neil Roediger / Alison Lawarik


Nathan Walker Memorial Award


Nathan was going to rally events from around 3 years of age, basically officiating with his family on road closures to start with, then occasionally on controls when he could.

On Saturday, 25 March 2006, Nathan (aged 13 1/2) was with his family while they manned the flying finish on a stage at the Captains Flat Rally, after being sick with the flu for a week. He wanted to go out with them (knowing that they'd be leaving at silly o'clock) and helped at the control, and his last words were "I had the best day ever". Nathan was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident later that day.

In December 2006, a Perpetual Award was created by the ACT Rally Community to honour Nathan. The criteria for the award are that the recipient has consistently provided a positive contribution to the sport; they have not previously received this award; and they are not recipients of other major awards for the year (both series and club).

2006 – Mike Behnke

2007 – Martin Holberton

2008 – Simon Leigh

2009 – Paul Marando

2010 – Matt Thompson

2011 – Charles Wannop

2012 – Adrian Dudok

2013 – John Malycha

2014 – Mick Patton

2015 – Neal Bates

2016 – Mick and Helen Nicholls

2017 – Christine Bethwaite

2018 – Russel Winks and Kim Winks

2019 – Mat Boorman

2020 – Kirsti Murdoch

2021 – Dave and Janelle Ballard

2022 – Debbie Quirk

2023 – Geniene Webster


Rallye Des Femmes


The event is an Introductory Special Stage rally and is the only rally in Australia organised specifically for female drivers. The event was first held in 1977 and has been held most years since. As an Introductory Rally, the event is timed to the whole minute – which has resulted in multiple winners in 2007 and 2016.

The 2016 Australian Rally Champion, Molly Taylor, is a past winner of the event. Local driver, Cath Donohue, has won the event for the last seven times that it has been held. The rally has regularly attracted a large field of all-female crews. A perpetual trophy has been kindly supplied by Capital Steering and Suspension, Fyshwick.

1977 – Judy Scorpecci/Terry Bain

1978 – Jenny Whitting/

1979 – Barbara Beveridge/John Fraser

1980 –

1981 –

1982 – Jenny Belfield/Mike Taylor

1983 – Linda Stevens/Denis Stevens

1984 – Jenny Belfield/Mike Taylor

1985 – Jenny Belfield/Col Trinder

1986 –

1987 –

1988 – Shirley Clarke/Peter Clark

1989 –

1990 – Jayne Annabel/Peter Vincent

1991 –

1992 –

1993 – ** Event didn’t run **

1994 – Jo Cadman/Kim Martin

1995 – Lindsay Atkinson/Judy Jesse

1996 – ** Event didn't run **

1997 – Lindsay Atkinson/Shaun Atkinson

1998 – ** Event didn't run **

1999 – ** Event didn't run **

2000 – Cathy Donohue/Fiona Crimmins

2001 – Terrie Hornby/Jody Newett

2002 – ** Event didn’t run **

2003 – Lizzy Ferme/John Paul De Sousa

2004 – Jo Cadman/Colin Hill

2005 – Molly Taylor/Mick Ryan

2006 – ** Event didn’t run **

2007 – Cathy Donohue/David Stephens

2007 – Kate Bowler/Rodger Pedersen

2007 – Kelly Caruana/Rob Moran

2008 – Cathy Donohue/Kate Bowler

2009 – Cathy Donohue/Renee Jeffery

2010 – ** Event didn’t run (weather)**

2011 – Cathy Donohue/Michael Barrett

2012 – Cathy Donohue/Kate Bowler

2013 – ** Event didn’t run **

2014 – ** Event didn’t run **

2015 – Cathy Donohue/Kate Heydon

2016 – Cathy Donohue/Kate Heydon

2016 – Bethany Cullen/Mel McMinn

2017 – Bethany Cullen/Mel McMinn

2018 – Cathy Donohue/Michael Barrett

2018 – Bethany Cullen/Mel McMinn

2019 – ** Event didn’t run **

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