Entries sought for West Cape Classic

A collection of classic and modern sports cars will head south in April for the inaugural West Cape Classic — Tarmac Challenge.

The new event, which will visit Bunbury, Busselton and Collie, is set to bring a test of man and machine to the South West for three days of competition.

Stages will include circuits, closed road sprints, hill climbs and motorkhanas.

Event director Peter Kay said while classic rallies had “been around for many moons”, WA had not hosted an event for about seven or eight years.

“I was helping out with the Australian Tarmac Challenge and thought it was something that was applicable to the South West,” he said.

Kay teamed up with fellow event director Paul Blank, who has a long history in the industry dating back to the start of touring road rallies in Australia.

“We used our motorsport experience to really rejuvenate the celebration of sport cars and an event which held an element of fun,” he said.

Kay described the event as a test of man and machine which offered driving excitement for participants and spectators alike.

“It’s more of a fun event — we’re not after the next Daniel Ricciardo,” he said. “You don’t need a full-freight rally car, it can just be your daily drive.”

The three-day event will begin at Kwinana Motorplex on Friday, April 27, and visit destinations including Bun-bury, Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup, Margaret River and Collie. It will then return to Claremont Showgrounds in Perth on April 29.

West Cape Classic drivers will also compete on the Trade Hire Busselton special stage as part of the annual Forest Rally.

Entries are now open for competitors in several categories including driver, co-driver and tour class.

Paid entries received by Wednesday, February 28 will go in the draw to win a trip for two to this year’s Grand Prix in Monaco.