The 2023 Lazer Rally of the Bay is shaping up to be one of the most competitive rally events of the year with entries from former and current Australian Rally championship series contenders and NSW rally championship series leaders.
The Bay Rally is a round of the NSW Rally Championship and East Coast Classic Rally Series (ECCRS) and incorporates the NSW Clubman and NSW Hyundai Series. The Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven regions are preparing for an influx of teams and spectators to the region with local businesses enthused about the economic benefit of hosting such an event. The event starts from the event service park at Corrigan Beach Reserve, Batemans Bay on Saturday, 29 July from 9.00am.
After four solid years supporting rally driver Chris Stilling and recently supporting Jimmy Dimmock, South coast's Simply Music Management (SMM) announced this week they have added to their stable PD Motorsport's Peter Dimmock. SMM is backing Chris Stilling and Peter Dimmock at the Batemans's Bay rally.
Raine O'Keeffe representing SMM and TripleUFM Shoalhaven commented that Chris Stilling who currently sits in the top three on the NSW rally championship series will have some stiff competition with current series leader, Tim Wilkins also entered aboard his Mitsubishi Evo 9.
'I was impressed with Chris's recent AMSAG Orange rally result of second outright which was impressive given he had only entered the event to test the development of his Mitsubishi Evo', said O'Keeffe.
Chris Stilling finished 10th outright in last year's Bay Stages rally and hopes to do better this year. 'I started repairing a number of mechanical issues and improving the performance of my Mitsubishi Evo7 since then, so the car is set up better than last year', said Stilling. Chris also ended up placing a very close third outright in the first round of the NSW Championship series at Mitta Mitta last March.
When asked how he thinks he will go at the Bay event Chris Stilling said, I'm contesting all rounds of the NSW Rally Championship Series so the aim is to be consistent, finish and to gain valuable points to get to the top of the leadership board. It is shaping up to be a tough competition at the Bay as you have last year's co-winner Richie Dalton aboard the Shamrock Haulage Toyota Yaris AP4 (Clayton Hoy and Richie Dalton shared the 2022 Bay Stages win) and Daniel Gonzalez aboard a Skoda Fabia. 'I'm really looking forward to the challenge and gaining more experience', said Chris Stilling.
Chris Stilling was recently at the Bay with co-driver Larisa Biggar and when asked how it was, he said 'We went out over the roads to write the pace notes, it's a great selection of roads so I am really excited about the event'.
Australian production cup champion and Qld state champion codriver, Larisa Biggar, said 'I'm looking forward to seeing how far Chris has improved since he upgraded from 2wd to 4wd. The last time I navigated for Chris was in the Australian Rally Championship round in Canberra where we had two podium placings in 2wd and junior cup.
SMM said what drew them to add Peter Dimmock to the sponsorship was his level of experience and commitment to the sport. With decades of experience as a rally driver, Peter Dimmock is also no stranger to the podium or to the Bay rally and returns to the Bay aboard the same Toyota Yaris AP4 which saw him take out second outright place at the 2022 Oberon NSW rally championship round. Peter stated he had something to aim for at the Bay rally as the previous year he had to retire early due to mechanical damage. 'It's a tough event but I will aim for a strong finish', said Peter Dimmock who will be aboard his Supreme Dry Cleaners Toyota Yaris AP4 with experienced co-driver Russell Hannah.
Raine O'Keeffe stated 'I cannot choose between the two teams as they have different levels of experience and driving style. I know they both have the skills to finish in the top placings and to be honest I'm just happy they are out there doing what they love best and that's competing.
