REIGNING Australia rally champion Justin Dowel claimed the George Derrick Memorial Rally on Saturday.
Dowel and co-driver Scott Spedding recovered from early car troubles to win seven of the eight stages of the event, held around Heyfield and Cowwarr.
The duo won in a Mitsubishi Evo by just 22 seconds from Warren Lee and David Lethlean in another Evo.
Clerk of course Andrew Roseman the event was well-recieved by competitors and spectators.
“We had 60 to 80 at the spectator point,” he said.
“The competitors enjoyed it immensely with the good technical roads up in the forest.
“We have 10 cars retire from the race, other than that everyone certainly enjoyed it.”
Roseman was hopeful of the event returning to the are next year.
“We’re in the throws of ensuring we come back next year,” he said.
