Promoted by Auto Corsa Group, the two-day tarmac rally from November 14-15 is expected to attract a field of up to 80 classic and modern cars that will vie for outright glory and individual category wins.

Crews will travel a total distance of 517 kilometres over the weekend, with 255 of those broken up over 14 closed-road special stages.

Event Director, Stuart Benson, said that locals would have the opportunity to see the cars at stops at Mitta Mitta, Mount Beauty, Omeo, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.

“Our approach to course design ensures maximum efficiency for pre-event reconnaissance, no stage repetition and, importantly, ample opportunity for locals to see the cars and rub shoulders with the competitors,” he said.

“Local enthusiasts will also be able to catch the action from a number of spectator viewing locations across the weekend.”

Mr Benson said the rally’s competition-to-touring ratio of approximately 50 percent accommodates an increasingly busy customer base desiring more compact and accessible events.

Day one will see cars travel 112.6 competitive kilometres over seven closed road stages. From Mount Hotham, the field will head east to the outskirts of Omeo.

The Omeo Highway will play host to a 6.3km warm up stage which will ease crews into competition, followed by a further three highly technical stages taking in Anglers Rest, Glen Wills and Snowy Creek.

Following a lunch break in Mitta Mitta, the cars will complete the morning’s stages in reverse finishing with the day’s longest stage, the 26.1km Glen Valley. A ceremonial finish will be held just outside the Omeo Show on the Omeo Highway, and a number of cars will be on display inside the Showgrounds from about 2.30pm.

Day two will produce a further technical seven stages over 141.9 competitive kilometres. Crews will be re-started from Hotham Heights Village and head down the famed Great Alpine Road, towards Harrietville taking in a 6.1km Mount Hotham warm up stage along the way, followed by the 17.7km Mount Feathertop stage.

The cars continue along the Great Alpine Road before heading north towards the 16.5km German Greek stage. The 28.5km Mount Beauty stage will see the cars ascend to Falls Creek where the cars will stop for lunch. Cars will then descend from Falls Creek, covering the 28km Falls Creek stage before re-grouping in Mount Beauty.

The field then commences its journey back to Mount Hotham for official podium finish celebrations but not before completing the 16.2km Tawonga Gap stage and the event’s final and longest stage, Great Alpine, which comprises a 28.9 kilometre climb of Australia’s highest sealed through road, the Great Alpine Road.

Auto Corsa Group has signed a three-year deal with Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management to deliver the event, and has worked with Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management, Alpine Shire Council, East Gippsland Shire Council and the Towong Shire Council to develop the course.

Mr Benson said that the many months of consultation with local civil authorities and community groups and associations had not only secured the rally route for 2015, but also support for an extended course in 2016.

“It’s been great to hear from the top teams of tarmac rallying that have carried out reconnaissance, that the combined character, construction, length and even scenery offered by the very special stages of the Hotham Auto Corsa have no domestic rival,” Mr Benson said.

“We very much look forward to working with our event partners and local stakeholders to see the event grow even stronger into the future.” Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board Chief Executive Officer, Jon Hutchins, said that local community interaction was paramount in planning for the event.

“An important design element of the Hotham Auto Corsa is that it interacts with the communities it passes through,” he said.

“This visitation, both pre and during event, stimulates activity and spending at a quieter time of year for the entire Alpine region.”

An official spectator guide, outlining safe viewing spots and times for road closures and vehicle displays, will be issued via the event website www.autocorsa.com.au in October and published in local media prior to the event.

Download the Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally 2015 Indicative Course Outline

Team BRM boss Mark Rundle, who lives in the inner Adelaide suburb of Payneham, will dust off his four-wheel drive 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 to contest the inaugural 11-stage, 250 competitive kilometre rally in Victoria’s North East from 14-15 November this year.

Team BRM has set the pace in some of Australia’s quickest and most challenging forms of racing, with success in Australian Formula 3, Formula 4, Formula Ford and Porsche Carrera Cup.

“With the race team I do around 10 events every year following the V8 Supercars championship around with Carrera Cup and Formula 4, so finding a weekend free to have my own fun can be tough,” said Rundle.

Rundle manages the operations of the team, overseeing both at-track activities and those at the workshop, which is in the suburb of Beverley, North West of Adelaide. There Rundle employs seven full time staff and come each race weekend calls on a further 14 specialised contractors.

The 37-year-old will have his long time navigator and friend and fellow South Australian, Steve Fisher, at his side for the two-day Hotham Auto Corsa which will be based at Mount Hotham and take in roads around Falls Creek, the Alpine National Park, Harrietville, Omeo and Mount Beauty.

“The Hotham event looks like being just fantastic,” said Rundle. “The roads being tight and twisty are what I enjoy over some of the flat out silly stuff you see in other events, so we really can't wait to get back in the car and have a bit of fun.”

Rundle has run the Evo at a number of events since he first acquired it in 2008, including tarmac rallies like the Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally (which he won in 2013 and says is one of his favourites) and last year’s Targa High Country. Rundle also took it to World Time Attack in 2011 and 2012 and this year’s Mount Alma Mile Hillclimb where he finished third.

While there is no doubt his intimate knowledge of race logistics will give him a competitive edge, Rundle says he’s happy just to get to the end of the event with his Evo still intact.

“It’s been about four years of constant tinkering and development to get the car where it is today, so I am keen to make sure it stays as shiny as it will be when it arrives at Mount Hotham.”

The Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally is expected to attract a competition field of up to 150 cars across its Tour, Challenge and Competition categories. It will be held in conjunction with the Mount Hotham Alpine Cup International Hillclimb, which at 29km is the world’s longest hillclimb event.

Auto Corsa Group has signed a three-year deal with the Hotham Resort Management Board to deliver the two events.

This year’s inaugural Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally from 14-15 November, promoted by Auto Corsa Group, will be based at Mount Hotham and take in the stunning scenery and roads of Falls Creek, the Alpine National Park and nearby towns including Harrietville, Mount Beauty and Omeo.

“It’s looking like the Victorian High Country will be a motorsport mecca in November,” said Thirlwall. “It’s going to be a great weekend event and hopefully it will bring out lots of people and cars to help the local economy.”

David is voting with his with feet in support of North Eastern Victoria’s newest major event and will team with up co-driver David Donaldson to compete in their immaculately restored Ford Duratec powered classic rally Group 4 specification Ford Escort.

Auto Corsa Group co-director and event director, Stuart Benson said: “Since announcing the event in March we’ve been absolutely delighted by the local community’s overwhelming positive response.”

“It’s clear from talking with local traders that events such as these are vital for the region, and we plan to ensure communities are given every opportunity to draw genuine economic benefit from the event.”

Auto Corsa Group has recently completed a series of community stakeholder meetings in Omeo, Harrietville, Mount Beauty, Falls Creek and Hotham Heights, which has given the local community the opportunity to input into the development of the events ahead of official course information being released in the next fortnight.

It is anticipated that up to 150 cars will contest the two-day rally that will be held over 250 competitive kilometres. In what is a fantastic coup for the event, classic tarmac rally champion Rex Broadbent has confirmed Hotham Auto Corsa will be his comeback event following a two-year racing sabbatical.

While final course information is still to be released, Mr Benson confirmed the township of Omeo will host an official ceremonial finish for day one of the event on Saturday 15 November where public will have the opportunity to see the cars up close and meet the competing teams.

The inaugural Mount Hotham Alpine Cup International Hillclimb, which at 29km is the world’s longest hillclimb course, will be held on the same weekend as the rally. The Alpine Cup takes in a stretch of the Great Alpine Road starting in Harrietville and finishing atop of Mount Hotham. The hillclimb’s expected field of 100 cars will compete over the course six times over the weekend.

For more information contact:

Stuart Benson
+61 (0) 412 868 979
stuart@autocorsa.com.au

The Melbourne-based promoter of closed road motorsport events released the regulations two weeks ago in draft form requesting industry feedback to inform further development.

Auto Corsa Group co-director, Stuart Benson, said feedback had been received from a number of competitors as well as some of Australia’s leading race experts including Holinger Engineering, MoTeC and Supashock.

“It was important to us that our regulations preserve the highest levels of competitor safety while also being logical and easy to understand.”

In order to achieve a rich mix of classic and modern cars in Auto Corsa Group events, the company looked to overseas trends for ways to make competing with heritage racing vehicles more affordable.

“For example, we’ve allowed pre-approved modern engines swaps for a number of heritage vehicles of the same make,” Mr Benson said.

One pre-approved swap is a Ford Duratec engine into an Mk1 or Mk2 Ford Escort. While the swap does not necessarily improve performance, it makes ongoing maintenance cheaper and easier.

“There are many heritage vehicles out there that were either previously ineligible or restricted from entering due to high costs associated with competition,” Mr Benson said.

“It has been our goal to get these classic vehicles out of their garages and onto the road where they can be driven in a controlled environment the way the manufacturer intended.”

The first major event to which the regulations will apply with be the inaugural Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally and Mount Hotham International Hillcllimb that will be held this year from November 14-15 in the stunning alpine region of Victoria’s North East.

Auto Corsa Group has signed a three-year deal with the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board to deliver the two events.

View the technical regulations here

ABOUT THE EVENTS

Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally

The inaugural Hotham Auto Corsa comprises 11 closed road stages over 250 competitive kilometres. The event will be based at Mount Hotham and take in roads around Falls Creek, the Alpine National Park and nearby towns including Harrietville, Omeo and Mount Beauty.

The rally is expected to attract a competition field of up to 200 cars across its Tour, Challenge and Competition categories.

Mount Hotham Alpine Cup International Hillclimb

At 29km, the inaugural Mount Hotham Alpine Cup International Hillclimb is the world’s longest hillclimb event. It is expected to attract production car-based circuit, sports, Time Attack and rally cars from around the world.

The driver-only event will be held on the same weekend of the Hotham Auto Corsa over a stretch of the world famous Great Alpine Road. Each competitor will tackle the 241-corner tarmac trek from Harrietville to Mount Hotham six times over the weekend.

For more information contact:

Stuart Benson
+61 (0) 412 868 979
stuart@autocorsa.com.au

The 66-year old Porsche driver from Melbourne has been lured back by the brand new event that will be held over 250 competitive kilometres around Mount Hotham in Victoria’s North East from 14-15 November.

After rolling his 1974 Porsche 911 RS at the 2013 Targa Tasmania while leading the classic competition, the multiple Targa Classic and Classic Adelaide winner has finally rebuilt his prized ride with the help of leading independent Porsche specialist Louis Giosis of Motion Automotive in South Melbourne.

The Makulu Vehicle Storage supported 3.5-litre Porsche promises to be a classic favourite and Broadbent says it’s better now than ever before.

“Louis has done a fantastic job to not only return the car to its former glory but to make it quicker than ever,” said Broadbent, who will have former navigator Chris Randell back at his side for the event.

Broadbent, who has previously traded rally stage wins with two time World Rally Champion and Porsche historic motorsport works driver Walter Röhrl, is easily one of Australia’s most accomplished Porsche rally drivers.

After two years out of the game, the now retired former CSIRO acoustics lab manager is keen to get back behind the wheel.

“It’s been a while between rallies, so really I am just aiming to finish – unlike my last rally,” jokes Broadbent. “It’s also about enjoying the experience of a new event.”

Promoted by Auto Corsa Group, Hotham Auto Corsa is Australia’s first all-new major closed road tarmac rally in five years. The event’s course has been designed by Auto Corsa Group co-director, and former Targa Tasmania clerk of course, Stuart Benson.

“Stuart is very well known within the motorsport industry for his exceptional event management skills,” said Broadbent. “These combined with the region’s technical and relatively moderate road speeds promise a fantastic event.”

Auto Corsa Group’s Stuart Benson is delighted that Broadbent has chosen Hotham Auto Corsa for his comeback event.

“What a combination; one of Australia’s most distinguished rally drivers steering one of the country’s most recognisable classic Porsche racing cars,” said Benson.

“We’ve put a lot of energy into developing a truly challenging tarmac rally event that’s worth winning so we’re very pleased we’ve been able to woo Rex out of retirement.”

Rex Broadbent and his stunning 1974 Porsche 911 RS

ABOUT THE CAR

Broadbent’s Porsche is the most successful cars in Australian classic tarmac rally history.

Originating as a road car, it was developed into a circuit-racer, which is where Broadbent first became acquainted with it as guest driver in the Porsche Cup Australian Grand Prix support races.

Broadbent later purchased the car and developed it for tarmac rallying.

Since owning the car Broadbent has dominated a number of classic tarmac rallies including Targa Tasmania, which he as won seven times and Classic Adelaide which he won five times.

Rex with his trusty mechanic Louis Giosos of Motion Automotive in South Melbourne

ABOUT THE EVENT

The inaugural Hotham Auto Corsa will be based at Mount Hotham and take in roads around Falls Creek, the Alpine National Park and nearby towns including Harrietville, Omeo and Mount Beauty.

The rally is expected to attract a competition field of up to 200 cars across its Tour, Challenge and Competition categories and will be held in conjunction with the Mount Hotham Alpine Cup International Hillclimb, which at 29km is the world’s longest hillclimb event.

Early Bird entries for both events close on 15 June 2015.

 For more information contact:

Stuart Benson
+61 (0) 412 868 979
stuart@autocorsa.com.au

Auto Corsa Group Co-director, Stuart Benson, said that feedback on the regulations would be welcomed up until Friday 12 June 2015, with the final iteration of the rules to be issued on Monday 15 June 2015 just prior to the close of Early Bird entries.

“Since the release of the our safety and technical guides in March, we’ve engaged with and listened to the motorsport community to develop a set of technical regulations for these events that are easy to understand and relevant to the current environment,” Mr Benson said.

“We hope that these final drafts will provoke further constructive discussion and feedback from our clients, friends and partners from within the motorsport fraternity.”

Sanctioned by the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance, Hotham Auto Corsa and the Alpine Cup International Hillclimb will be held from 14-15 November 2015.

Auto Corsa Group has signed a three-year deal with the Mount Hotham Resort Management Board to deliver the events.

Download Vehicle Safety and Technical Regulations - Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally
Download Vehicle Safety and Technical Regulations - Mount Hotham Alpine Cup International Hillclimb

For more information contact:
Stuart Benson
+61 (0) 412 868 797
stuart@autocorsa.com.au

The 28-year old from Elliot in Tasmania’s North West, has shaken off what could have been a podium finish at the recent Targa Tasmania rally to tackle, in his 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, the new 11-stage closed road tarmac alpine rally set for Victoria’s North East.

Maguire who says “he’s not entering to finish in second place” and drives by the mantra of “when in doubt, flat out” will have his navigator, Mike Potter – also from Tasmania – calling the countless corners that make up the alpine rally’s 250 competitive kilometres.

“The atmosphere of this new event with new people will create a fantastic arena to compete in and another exciting opportunity to socialise with like-minded people that love to rally,” says Maguire who first started competing in motorsport at the age of 14.

Maguire’s pace is unquestioned with an outright win at last year’s Targa High Country rally.

At this year’s Targa Tasmania, Maguire was running second behind the Lamborghini Gallardo of fellow Tasmanian Jason White when his Evo blew a head gasket on day four of six on the Riana stage, dropping him to fourth place – which he held until the finish.

About the Car

Maguire’s Evo has a colourful history. Jason White engineered the car to contest Targa Tasmania in 2014 after his Lamborghini caught alight at the bygone Targa Wrest Point rally just prior.

The inaugural Poatina Mt. Race, promoted by Auto Corsa Group Co-Director Stuart Benson, was used as a testing ground for White’s new steed in which Maguire was navigating. Unfortunately the event ended abruptly for the pair, with the car landing upside down in a ditch.

An extensive re-build saw the Japanese weapon back on song for Targa Tasmania a couple of months later. White, with his uncle John White by his side, was leading the event before crashing out on the Riana stage.

After a second re-build, the car finally found itself in the hands of Maguire who is no doubt very relieved Hotham Auto Corsa won’t have a stage called Riana.

About the Event

Hotham Auto Corsa is Australia’s first all-new major closed road tarmac rally in five years.
The rally will be based at Mount Hotham and take in Falls Creek, the Alpine National Park and nearby towns including Harrietville, Omeo and Mount Beauty.

The event is expected to attract a competition field of up to 200 cars across its Tour, Challenge and Competition categories and will be held in conjunction with the Alpine Cup International Hillclimb; the world’s longest hillclimb event which takes in a 29km section of the famed Great Alpine Road.

Promoted by Auto Corsa Group, Hotham Auto Corsa and the Alpine Cup International Hillclimb have been designed specifically for Mount Hotham with the principal motivation of driving green season visitation and economic benefits to the region.

For more information contact:
Stuart Benson
+61 (0) 412 868 797
stuart@autocorsa.com.au

Motorsport promoter, Auto Corsa Group, has worked with the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board to stage the inaugural events that will run over the weekend of 14-15 November 2015.

Auto Corsa Group Co-director, Stuart Benson, said: “The 29-kilometre Alpine Cup International Hillclimb will significantly outdistance the famed Pikes Peak event in the US, which at 19-kilometres is currently the world’s longest.

"We wanted to offer something really special,” said the former Targa Tasmania designer and event director. “Provide an experience that would be a true test of man and machine like no other.”

The 241-corner tarmac trek has an elevation gain of around 1,300 metres finishing on Mount Hotham, 1,837 metres above sea level. Each driver will travel the course six times over the two days, totalling 171 competitive kilometres.

An 11-stage tarmac rally, comprising 250 competitive kilometres, will be held over the same weekend based at Mount Hotham taking in Falls Creek and closed roads around nearby towns including Harrietville, Mount Beauty and Omeo.

The Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally is expected to attract a field of up to 200 cars with multiple Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans already signed on for the challenge.

"The roads of Hotham are one of Australia's best kept secrets," said Evans. "These events will include some of the most technical and challenging tarmac roads I've ever driven and the scenery is just incredible.”

Both events will take in a stretch of the Great Alpine Road; Australia's highest sealed through-road between Wangaratta and Bairnsdale.

Recently appointed CEO of the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board, Jon Hutchins, said the events would highlight the Great Alpine Road as a year-round touring destination.

“The natural vistas and sealed condition of the Great Alpine Road give it the potential to rival and even surpass Victoria’s other iconic travel route, the Great Ocean Road,” said Hutchins.

“As a year round destination the North East of Victoria offers excitement and natural attractions for both domestic and international visitors.”

Chair of the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board, Deb Spring, said motorsport was a great fit for Hotham – a destination that attracts more than 122,000 adrenalin-seeking skiers each year.

"As much as our visitors enjoy skiing Hotham's challenging slopes, the competitors of these events will love driving our roads.

“Importantly, there will also be some fantastic spots along each course for spectators to get close to the action.”

Ms Spring said the events would stimulate economic growth to the region to the tune of 5,000 additional bed stays during the green season.

"This is an exciting opportunity for our community to really take ownership of these events, which I believe are a much-welcomed addition to the Australian motorsport calendar."

For more information contact:
Stuart Benson
+61 (0) 412 868 979
stuart@autocorsa.com.au

Launched this week, the Alpine Cup International Hillclimb will be the world’s longest hillclimb event. Competitors will make the challenging 29km sprint from Harrietville to the top of Mount Hotham six times over the weekend, totalling 170 competitive kilometres.

Meanwhile, the 11-stage Hotham Auto Corsa Alpine Tarmac Rally will comprise 250 competitive kilometres and take in Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and surrounding towns including Harrietville, Mount Beauty and Omeo.

Evans, who has driven the roads of Hotham several times before, was excited to hear about Auto Corsa Group’s concept for the events.

“I’ve worked with the guys at Auto Corsa Group a few times on other tarmac rallies,” said Evans, who lives at Nar Nar Goon in Victoria. “When they came to me with what they were planning, I knew it was something I needed to be a part of.”

"These events will include some of the most technical and challenging tarmac roads I've ever driven over and the scenery is just incredible.”

Auto Corsa Group’s Stuart Benson said Evans was an obvious choice to help promote the event to the wider motorsport community.

“Simon’s can-do, happy-go-lucky demeanour coupled with his incredible level of ability and professionalism is a great fit for Auto Corsa Group’s brand values and overall approach to motorsport event design and delivery.”

For more information contact:

Stuart Benson
+61 (0) 412 868 797
stuart@autocorsa.com.au