What it is...
Note, all detail on this page is subject to change. Please check back later in 2024 for updated information.
The Shannons Rally Retro Festival is the only event of its kind for rally cars in Australia and in 2024 it was supported by Shannons Insurance as naming rights sponsor. Other sponsors included MOVE MY CAR and PrixCAR Services for specialized logistics and Stuckey Tyres for the awards. The support of Shannons and our other supporters ensures this event keeps alive the magic of our historic rally cars and keeps them accessible to the fans.
The aim is twofold: firstly to provide and event for owners of historically significant rally cars and faithfully built replicas, where they can display their cars and, if desired, have a bit of fun with them as well.
Often the owners won’t want to enter a full rally with them and in many case the cars would not be eligible to run with the changing of regulations and safety standards since these cars were competing.
It’s also a chance for the rest of us to have a look at these cars often hidden away in sheds and hopefully experience many of them in action, on a short dirt course.
So often a winning rally car is used to donate parts to another car, sold to another owner who repaints it and changes its specification or is simply pushed aside and left to rot.
We hope Rally Retro Festival will inspire the preservation and restoration of more significant rally cars from the sport’s history.
What you'll see
At Rally Retro Festival you will see 40 rally cars or more, that were competing from the early 1960’s to the mid 1990’s. Some will be in almost ‘as rallied’ condition, some will have been restored and some will be replica’s of iconic rally cars of the past. You will be able to see the evolution of rally cars before your eyes.
As well, most of the cars will be taking parts in demonstration runs on a specially designed Rally Retro course so you can see them and hear them doing what they were built for. There will be special viewing areas around the track to choose from.
The schedule
For spectators, Rally Retro Festival opens mid morning – details to be advised.
The static displays are on all day. There are demo runs from 11:00 am. A full Spectator schedule will be available on the Spectators page.
Entrants and exhibitors RRF starts a bit earlier… the venue opens at 7:00 am for INVITED display cars and Scrutiny starts for on-track cars at 8:00 am. There is a Drivers Briefing at 10:30 am. A full Entrants/exhibitors schedule will be available on the Entrants page.
For all of us, Rally Retro Day concludes at 4:00 pm.
Photography
Photo opportunities abound – in the display paddock and around the track.
You will be able to walk amongst the rally cars and talk to the owners, who in some case are past Rally Champions themselves.
There will also be some period signage around the display area which could make an interesting back drop for a “selfie”.
Your conduct and safety at Rally Retro Festival
Motorsport is Dangerous! Your safety is paramount.
At times, when cars are moving to and from the track, you may be asked to leave the display area for the safety of all.
Supervise your children for safety.
Rally cars can be hard to see out of when maneuvering. Never assume a driver can see you.
Always stay behind the tape barriers.
Always obey the directions of the Rally Retro Retro Festival team members. They have your safety in mind.
Keep dogs on a short leash and well away from the track.
