Preparations are well underway for the final round of the Australian Off Road Championship which will take place in Rainbow over three days early next month. The event will run over the weekend of 4 to 6 August which encompasses a Friday afternoon opportunity to meet with the drivers and view their cars in Rainbow's main street, qualifying and a race on Saturday and will conclude with another race on Sunday.

The race is run by the Victorian Off Road Racing Association Inc. and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, with the support of the Hindmarsh Shire Council.

Organisers are expecting many racing cars from all over the country to participate, with both the championship and the honour of winning the inaugural Rainbow event on the line.

Second only to the Finke Desert Race, this event is expected to attract a significant number of visitors to the Wimmera-Mallee region.

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy MP was required to intervene earlier this month to ensure necessary Government approvals were obtained for the use of public land for the track route.

"Local concerns were raised regarding the potential liability of adjoining landowners and I am pleased that we have been able to resolve these issues and the race will now go ahead as planned", Ms Kealy said.

"Events like these provide us with a fantastic opportunity to promote our great part of Australia.

"I encourage everyone with an interest in motor sports to get along to Rainbow to support this national event.

"I also extend a huge thank you to the local organising committee and the many volunteers who will assist with catering, checkpoints, 4WD recovery and any other areas where assistance is required over the weekend.

"Without your contribution events like this simply could not happen and we are indebted to you for your help", she said.

On the Friday afternoon the drivers and vehicles will arrive in Federal St Rainbow, which will be closed to regular traffic, to confirm their entry and for important safety checks to be completed on their race vehicles. Once completed each vehicle will be positioned in Federal St, allowing spectators to talk with the drivers and co-drivers and view the race cars up close.

The Saturday action will commence at 10 am at the Race Centre at the Graincorp site, just west of the town, where all competitors will tackle the Prologue Stage which will establish the running order for the main event. Each team will compete against the clock over the 8 kilometre course to earn a place in the Top Ten Shootout.

The Top Ten Shootout will be conducted between midday and 2 pm which will see the ten fastest teams from qualifying again take to the Prologue circuit to race against the clock to earn the title of fastest qualifier.

Following this, Section 1 of the Enduro will commence with all cars setting off from the Start / Finish line in groups of two at set intervals, to navigate their way around the main course which is approximately 80 kilometres in length, with each team aiming to complete two laps.

On the Sunday morning, Section 2 of the Enduro will commence at 9 am, with Australian Off Road Championship competitors completing five laps of the circuit and the Victorian Championship competitors completing three laps. The first team to complete the Rainbow Desert Enduro is expected to arrive around 1 pm with the remaining competitors following over the next few hours.

Local businesses and community groups will be providing catering throughout the weekend, both in Federal Street in town on Friday and at the Race Centre on Saturday and Sunday.

Photo courtesy of CAMS