Australian Rallying: O’Connell set for round two of WA Rally Championship. Plus: free download of official programme

Perth-based co-driver Murish O’Connell continues his West Australian Clubmans Rally Championship Campaign with this weekend’s Make Smoking History Rally in picturesque forestry roads of Nannup.

O’Connell and his driver Glenn Cawood finished fourth on last month’s Bakers Hill-based Winvale Park Rally – the opening round of the Western Australia Clubman’s Rally Championship.

The second round of the series takes place in Nannup, about three hours south of Pert.

“There’s a nice mix of stages and challenges,” O’Connell told Kerry Motorsport News. “The Healthway stage, in particular, is exceptionally fast , with many crests , while stages like Dugite are challenging twisty roads , used often in the Australian Rally Championship.”

The rally starts on Friday with four runs over the 1.8km Bunbury Super Special. Clubman championship runners tackle a further 100kms on Saturday and Sunday.

“We’re looking forward to a big weekend,” he said. “The organisers have done a fantastic job in putting together a three day event , including a Friday night super special under lights in Bunbury It’s a great opportunity for even more  people to see the cars in action , and up close.”

The rally is usually included in the Australian Rally Championship but event organisers opted out this year and have restricted the entry to residents of Western Australia only due to COVID-19 guidelines in the country.

O’Connell was full of praise for the team behind the event.

“The number of organisers and volunteers involved over the weekend is several hundred. We’re very grateful for these volunteers’ continued time and efforts and we are looking forward to a great weekend of rallying in the forest,” he added.