IT’S not the Mallee Rally and it’s no longer the Queen’s Birthday – but off-road racing will return to the Sea Lake region on the June long weekend for the first time in five years.
Sea Lake Off Road Club is hopeful the club’s newest event, the Nandaly 300, will be a huge tourism drawcard for motoring enthusiasts, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.
“We’re not replacing the Mallee Rally but it’s time to get back to racing,” club president George Bailey said.
The Mallee Rally was cancelled in 2019 due to cultural heritage concerns.
Despite attempts to get the event up and running once again, the club is still awaiting the outcome of the Cultural Management Plan for Lake Tyrrell which was home to the Mallee Rally, Australia’s oldest off road race, for more than four decades.
“We’re still working on the Mallee Rally,” Mr Bailey said.
“There’s nothing happening on that front at this stage, with everyone still on recess at present.”
Mr Bailey said the club was hopeful they could work through the process and find a resolution which would ensure the future of the Mallee Rally, but in the meantime, it was time for the club “to get back to racing”.
Nandaly resident Chris Martin grew up watching the Mallee Rally as a child.
Vowing to one day compete in the event, he took part in his first race in 2018, the last year prior to its cancellation.
Recognising the gap which was left within the community as a result its cancellation, Mr Martin made his own track to help lift spirits within the local off-road club.
“It’s like most clubs, you’re spending time with like-minded people who all look out for each other,” he said.
“You could see how different it was without the Mallee Rally and I wanted to create some interest and get something up and running again. It was my way to help lift spirits while we are still working through the process with the Mallee Rally.”
Three years later, the course has been extended thanks to neighbouring landowners and the Nandaly 300 has been officially listed on this year’s Victorian Off Road Racing Association’s 2023 racing calendar as round four of the Victorian series.
“It’s good,” Mr Martin said.
“We’ve always had a lot of support from the racing community and even with the race in this format, knowing it’s not the Mallee Rally, everyone is happy to support it.”
Mr Martin said details of the race were still being finalised with preliminary talks suggesting the race would also incorporate motorbikes for the first time.
“We want to make it a festive thing where we encourage families to come and camp and explore the region while they’re here.
“There’s a fair bit of work to do but we’re expecting good competition and good buggies.”
The Nandaly 300 is on June 10 and 11.
