2024 Rally WA Calendar – WA Rally Championship

18/12/2023

Navigating the Dirt Roads: A Comprehensive Look at the 2024 Rally WA Calendar

The 2024 Rally WA Calendar has finally hit the circuits, promising another year of adrenaline-fueled rally adventures. While the announcement comes late, the anticipation has only heightened. In this post, we dissect the intricacies of the 2024 Rally WA Calendar. We take a look at the key stages, locations, and the unique character each event brings to the fore.

Winvale Park Stages – Kicking off the season on the 14^th of April

A familiar name from the 2023 Rally WA calendar, Winvale Park Stages, returns with its exhilarating Rally Sprint format on the 14th of April. Located in Copley, approximately 15 km from Bakers Hill, Winvale Park offers a challenging course set on private property. This Wheatbelt event has short, technical roads that are often challenging and dusty. Winvale serves as round one of the WA state rally championship and Clubman Cup.

2024 Forest Rally: May 17th – 19th – The Big One

Marking round two of the state championship, the iconic Forest Rally is scheduled from the 17th to the 19th of May. This event takes center stage on the 2024 Rally WA Calendar. As a part of the ARC, the event attracts teams from the Eastern States, creating a vibrant mix of local and interstate competitors. Covering approximately 200 km of competition over 2.5 days, the Forest Rally is the largest rally of the year in WA.

Big changes for 2024

For 29 years Healthway has been the major sponsor of the Forest Rally. Just recently it was announced that the long term naming rights sponsor will not continue for 2024. Another major change for 2024 is the dropping of the Bunbury Super Special Stage. For 23 years fans have been able to watch the rally action up close on a purpose built spectator stage.

Originally on the Busselton foreshore, in 2021 opening night moved to the Bunbury Speedway. For 2024 this will not be a feature. In May the entire rally will be based around the tree plantations of Nannup in the state’s southwest. Although the change may be disappointing for some, it does ease the travel and fatigue for crews on opening night.

Donnybrook – Grimwade Stages Rally on July 6th

On the 6th of July, the town of Donnybrook will host the Grimwade Stages Rally. Despite the challenges posed by mid winter, this event returns to a July date on the 2024 Rally WA calendar. Utilising roads around Balingup, the stages are set through the now defunct town of Grimwade. Old concrete footings are the only reminders of the once busy mill site that the smooth, forest stages slither past. In 2023 the service park was moved to the Donnybrook football oval. The change provided a better, more spacious area for teams to work on cars.

Karri Rally Speeds into Action on August 17th

The Karri Rally, renowned as the king of speed, returns to Manjimup on the 17th of August. Utilizing a service park in the town center and a spectator stage at the nearby Motocross track. The 2024 Karri Rally promises fast-paced action and a vibrant atmosphere.

Chidlow Safari Rally on September 28th: Mid-Spring Marvel

Moving into mid-spring, the 2024 Rally WA Calendar presents the Safari Rally on the 28th of September. The Safari has moved around over it’s nearly 60 year history. In the late 00’s it moved to the current location in Chidlow on the fringes of the Perth metro area.

Utilising some of the old roads vacated by Rally Australia, the stages are set around the back of Mundaring Weir. The 2023 Safari Rally was rough and dusty, providing a challenge (and headache!) for teams. As tradition dictates, the Chidlow Tavern will host HQ and the event presentation, while the adjacent village green will serve as the service park.

Experts Cup Rally in Collie: October 26th

The final round, the Experts Cup Rally returns to the coal mining town of Collie on the 26th of October. Unlike the 2022 edition (which was wet), the 2023 Experts Cup Rally was dry and dusty. Crews witnessed challenging conditions in both cases. Despite the weather, the Experts Cup Rally promises a spectacular finale to the championship on the roads around Wellington Dam.

The 2024 Rally WA Calendar weaves a tapestry of thrills and challenges across Western Australia’s diverse landscapes. From the initiation in April to the season-closing crescendo in late October, each event unfolds a unique chapter in the story of WA rallying. As competitors gear up for another season of heart-pounding action, fans can anticipate a riveting journey through the dirt roads and forest trails of this motorsport haven.