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The 2023 Lazer Rally of the Bay was not only a round of the NSW Rally Championship, but it was also a round of the Clubman Rally Series, Hyundai Rally Series, East Coast Classic 2WD Rally Series and East Coast Classic 4WD Rally Series.

The East Coast Classic 2WD Rally Series (ECCRS) attracted 11 classic cars and it was expected that the Ford Escort of Sean McAloon with Muireann Hayes would be the car to beat. But an off-road excursion in the first stage would sideline McAloon. Tom Clarke with co-driver Ryan Preston was McAloon’s biggest competition and Clarke showed form in the Datsun Stanza, winning every stage of the rally.

PJ O’Keefe with Patrick O’Sullivan co-driving placed second in the ECCRS in their Ford Escort and in a Datsun Stanza, Gary Stewart with Stephanie Stewart co-driving finished 3^rd.

The Clubman Rally Series caters to the grassroots competitors and attracts a diverse range of participants. The Clubman series section of the rally was called the “Bay Ramble” and featured the first 8 stages of the event. Alexander Neill with Ryan McKinnon co-driving took out the 4WD category in a Subaru WRX and won the “Bay Ramble” event with a convincing lead. Coming in second was Doug Neill with Cath Neill co-driving in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6. In third place was PJ O’Keefe with Patrick O’Sullivan co-driving and they also took out the Clubman Rally Series  2WD category in the Ford Escort.

In the Hyundai Rally Series, the battle was drawn between the Hyundai Excels of Lachlan Moore with Co-driver Paul Baily and John Brophy with co-driver Tierna Lambert. The Hyundai series, like the Clubman Series, was contested over just 8 of the 10 stages and the two drivers scored the same time in the first stage, Dog Trap. Brophy would go on to win the next 5 stages and take a lead of just over a minute. In the penultimate 34km Buckenbowra stage, Moore would take the win by just half a second, and in the last stage Brophy would be on top again to claim the win in the Hyundai Series.

Batemans Bay, 29th July 2023 – The 2023 Lazer Rally of the Bay concluded in a thrilling display of skill and determination, with seasoned driver Richie Dalton and co-driver Jarrod Hudson emerging as the triumphant winner for the fourth time. The event, held in the Eurobodalla Shire on the NSW South Coast, showcased the true spirit of motorsport, drawing in a large crowd of adrenaline-fueled enthusiasts.

Richie Dalton, known for his exceptional driving prowess, navigated through the challenging stages to secure his well-deserved victory at the Lazer Rally of the Bay. Dalton’s commitment to precision and speed earned him a significant edge over his competitors throughout the event, solidifying his position as a force to be reckoned with on the Batemans Bay Roads.

“A very enjoyable rally”, Dalton Said at the end of the final stage. He had won heat one by 39 seconds and was ecstatic with the rally win.

“I think we got the heat two win as well. I just got to check the second last stage time. The second bend in on that stage was a really tight first gear right hander, we slowed down in time to use the handbrake to get around it, but I turned in too early and hit the bank and we’re just up against the bank and I couldn’t find reverse for a while. So, I think we lost about 20 seconds.

“That last stage in there, I drove worse than my granny just to get it home. But all in all, what a fantastic weekend and a big, huge thanks to Jarrod. He’s only 19 and he’s done an unbelievable job all weekend. To come all the way from New Zealand to do his first Australian rally, hats off to him, he’s going to go places”, Dalton concluded.

Another standout performance during the rally came from Tim Wilkins and co-driver Katie Giddins, who finished an impressive third. Despite the fierce competition, Wilkins’ strategic approach allowed him to amass enough points to maintain his lead in the championship.

“We backed off a bit for the second half the day thinking it’d be good just to bag some points and finish the event. We let a few people go ahead of us in the afternoon run, but I believe we’ll probably still be good enough to maybe get third for this afternoon, so that was really good”, Wilkins said.

The battle for the championship title is undoubtedly intense, and fans can expect even more heart-stopping action in the upcoming rallies.

Wild card and Western Australian competitors Daniel Gonzalez and co-driver Bernie Webb finished the event second.

In the East Coast Classic Rally Series, Tom Clarke and co-driver Ryan Preston secured the win, finally coming to grips with the Datsun Stanza, a car they have not yet had much luck with.

“We made changes to the engine and finally had a nice clean run. We took it easy at first and then turned it up for the afternoon. We pretty much had a faultless run, I’m really happy with the result”, Clarke said.

The Lazer Rally of the Bay has solidified its position as one of the favourite motorsport events on the NSW rally calendar, attracting participants and spectators from all corners of the state and country. The rally’s challenging route, combined with the picturesque scenery, provide the perfect backdrop for showcasing the skills of these remarkable drivers.

Event organisers would like to extend their gratitude to all participants, partners, and the many fans who contributed to the overwhelming success of the 2023 Lazer Rally of the Bay. Their unwavering support ensures the continued growth and success of this incredible event.