2010 Lake Mountain Sprint

Rallying Together for Bushfire Relief The Lake Mountain Sprint tarmac rally will return to the mountain of its moniker at the end of March, bringing more than just exotic cars and exciting action to the twisting tarmac. The two-day event will also produce some much needed tourist dollars and support for the fire-ravaged community of Marysville and the alpine resort of Lake Mountain, which was all but destroyed in the Black Saturday inferno. Those catastrophic fires on Saturday February 7th, 2009 forced the cancellation of the 2009 Mountain Motorsports event. However, the local community, which thrived on tourism as its main income, is excited about the prospect of visitors - and rally cars - returning to the town in 2010. The Mountain Motorsports event will heighten awareness of the continuing difficulties in the region even a year after the fires, and the rally drivers, crews and spectators will be on hand to support local businesses, hotels in the Buxton, Alexandra and Healesville areas, the local CFA, and the Lake Mountain resort. "What a great way for the Tarmac Rallying Community to support the fire affected businesses in the Murrundindi Shire," commented Peter Washington from Mountain Motorsports. "It will also be the third round (of four) in the Australian Tarmac Championship, and give crews the opportunity to gain valuable points before they head to Targa in April," he added. In 2010, the local team of Derek Reynolds and Ray Baker in their Mitsubishi Evolution are being supported by both the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort and Mountain Motorsport. Derek grew up in the Marysville area and is an avid Lake Mountain skier and local business owner. "It has been an incredibly difficult year for all of us and the opportunity to participate in the event to increase awareness of the continuing need for people to visit the region and in particular the Lake Mountain Resort as it develops awareness of its attractions all year round. Activities such as skiing, mountain bike riding, hiking and enjoying a meal or a coffee on the balcony at the bistro. I can't wait to let loose on that beautiful piece of road I have travelled on so many times. As for our competitiveness, we are not going up there to make up the numbers but time will tell," Derek said. The residents of Marysville and surrounding fire-affected areas have been rebuilding the community infrastructure over the past year, with the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority recently reporting more than $1bn dollars has been spent and 1400 building permits have been approved in the past year. Around 50 houses in Marysville have been rebuilt, along with a café, bakery, supermarket and post office. Mountain Motorsports will be taking a collection from all of its competitors and officials and be giving the money raised to the local community. "Come and see what we have to offer and where we are at with the recovery effort," said Trudi Ackerman, Marketing Manager at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort. "We are really looking forward to the buzz of Australia's top tarmac rally drivers at full noise on our usually quiet country road again." The 2010 Lake Mountain Motorsports Sprint Launch will be held at the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort atop Lake Mountain at 11am on February 15th. The Lake Mountain Sprint will be run over two days on March 20 and 21, with a minimum of 10 timed runs up the 10km tourist road. There and four spectator points on the tourist road to view the action. More information can be found online at www.mountainmotorsports.com.au, or by calling Tim McNeilly on 0401 905 777

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