Engines roaring and tarmac burning will echo through East Gippsland on September 12 and 13 as the Australian Tarmac Rally (ATR) championship returns for its highly anticipated third round, the Snowy River Sprint.
Set against the scenic backdrop of Lakes Entrance and the winding roads surrounding Buchan, the two-day tarmac spectacle features over 260 kilometres of flat-out competitive rallying across 18 demanding stages. Designed with short transport sections and a tightly packed schedule, the event promises continuous, fast-paced action for drivers and motorsport fans alike.
More than just a high-speed competition, the Snowy River Sprint combines elite motorsport with one of Victoria’s premier coastal and high-country destinations. Competitors and touring crews traveling from across Australia will base themselves in Lakes Entrance, taking in the coastal charm of Ninety Mile Beach, fresh local seafood, and the bustling fishing fleet before heading inland into the Snowy River region.
The heart of the weekend’s action centres on Buchan’s Main Street, where rally cars will officially launch the event each morning, return for midday service stops, and gather for the grand finish line celebrations outside the historic Buchan Caves Hotel. The influx of teams, support crews, and visiting fans delivers a major economic boost to local businesses and tourism operators across East Gippsland.
The ATR championship caters to all skill levels, spanning categories from the non-competitive Tour class — designed for road-registered vehicles and entry-level drivers — to specialised classes including Rally Challenge and Rally Sport. At the top end, the high-speed Full Competition category brings seasoned rally professionals to the region to tackle some of the nation’s most challenging tarmac stretches.
Saturday’s opening leg features a gruelling 12-stage itinerary, commencing with a short seven-kilometre shakedown before crews tackle fast, technical runs through Stony Creek, Jonkers Road, Andy Point Track and the long 16-kilometre push near the Buchan CFA station.
Sunday ramps up the endurance challenge across six massive stages, culminating in two challenging final stages exceeding 36 kilometres each between Painted Line Track and Buchan CFA, testing vehicle reliability and driver stamina right to the checkered flag.
Local residents and visitors will have ample opportunities throughout the weekend to inspect the rally machinery up close, meet the drivers during main street service stops, and soak up the community atmosphere as East Gippsland hosts one of Australia’s premier tarmac rallying events.
