A PICTURE perfect track provided ideal racing conditions for the inaugural Nandaly 300 at the weekend.
Hosted by the Sea Lake Off Road Club, the two-day event marked the return of racing to the region across the June long weekend, following the cancellation of the Mallee Rally in 2019.
Sea Lake Off Road Club president Darren Mott said the standalone grassroots event was by no means a replacement for the Mallee Rally, which this year would have celebrated its 50th anniversary as Australia’s longest running off-road race.
“This is not the Mallee Rally and has nothing to do with the Mallee Rally,” Mr Mott said.
“It doesn’t compare to the Mallee Rally – it’s a smaller event with an emphasis on fun.”
Mr Mott said the club continued to work towards finding a resolution, suitable for all parties when it came to the future of the Mallee Rally.
“Protecting Lake Tyrrell and the history of the area is a major priority for our club and these are conversations we hope to have,” Mr Mott said.
He said it was time to move forward and get back to racing.
During the two-day event, competitors completed the course across multiple paddocks, with 39 car entries from South Australia, Queensland and all parts of Victoria.
“The track was perfect,” Mr Mott said.
“There was no dust, we had clear days and couldn’t have asked for better racing conditions.”
In total, 21 of the 39 entrants managed to finish the 300km course, with racers completing two laps on Saturday and three laps on Sunday.
“The finish rate was over 50 per cent so that’s a good outcome,” Mr Mott said.
“Those that didn’t make it had all sorts of different issues – blown motors, mechanical failures, fatigue and a range of other things you expect with off-road events.”
Mr Mott said the event provided a huge economic benefit for the region, with local businesses, eateries, pubs and fuel stops benefiting from the influx of racing crews and spectators.
A good crowd of about 500 spectators converged on the track for an action-packed weekend of racing, which also included motorbikes.
“It was a good family atmosphere (and) family-orientated weekend with the focus on fun,” Mr Mott said.
Merbein South resident Brett Plant took out the race, completing the course in a little over three hours.
