It's been nearly two years since the ARC visited my home state, New South Wales. And for me, it has lots of good memories.



Photos by Serdar

The round had moved away from the Central Coast (where I grew up) to Bathurst, and provided the opportunity to watch the super specials from the roof of the pit complex at Mount Panorama.

They began on the race track start line, ran through Hell Corner and then made a left-hand turn onto the dirt course constructed behind the pit buildings. It not only offered a great view, it also allowed you to wander downstairs and eyeball the crews working on their cars in the pits.

Mt Panorama also offered the first view of Fords brand new, rear-wheel drive, Group N(P) Focus. After promising all year they would contest the last couple of ARC rounds, the new Ford team had run out of time. But at least we could walk up and have a sticky-beak through the windows.

Of course, this was the last time we saw the Subaru Australia team, and the last time Cody Crocker won an ARC round. (He'd well and truly wrapped up the '05 title before coming to Bathurst). And it was also the last time we'd see Juha Kangas in Australia, the popular Finn bowing out of the ARC in a Les Walkden Subaru.

There was a great fight between Dean Herridge and Simon Evans. In the end, it was Dean who claimed second in both the rally and the championship.

The 'bad luck' award went to Scott Pedder, who started the event holding 2nd place in the championship. But a big accident on day 1 saw him DNF the opening leg, and when the weather intervened during Sunday, he wasn't able to score enough points to hold off Herridge and Evans.

But for me, my most lasting memory was of Sunday. After a gloriously sunny Saturday, Sunday was cold and wet and miserable.

We got down to the Bobs Creek early and grabbed a good spot, and waited. And as it got closer to the start of the first stage, it got colder and it got mistier. 15 minutes or so before the first car was due, a mob of 'roos hopped their way down the course, although it was bit hard to see them, the mist reducing visibility to about 10 metres or so.

And then to add insult to injury, it started to bucket down.

I don't think I've ever been as wet as that Sunday in October 2005. The road became so muddy, the zero car nearly went off at a 90 deg left-hander. One or two competitors made it through before the stages were cancelled.

There were a couple of super specials left to run, but we decided to head home, and I almost had a head-on with Eli Evans on the road back to the highway.

All up, it was a great weekend. The sort of memories you can't get on TV, and you can't get sitting in a grandstand. And that's what I love about rallying.

Labels: ARC, Rally