Rainbow deadline day announced

The Victorian Off Road Racing Association (VORRA) has announced that it will make a final call on the running of the 2021 Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro on Friday 13 August.

The third round of the BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) remains in limbo after Victoria entered another state-wide, seven-day snap lockdown.

With the state’s lockdown expected to end on Thursday 12 August, VORRA president Tony Carabott released a statement regarding the event’s current position.

“Due to the current COVID restrictions within Victoria, that are constantly developing and changing, a decision on the status of the running of the 2021 Rainbow Desert Enduro will be made next Friday 13 August,” Carabott wrote.

“This will give us another week to review the restrictions and still give time for interstate competitors to make decisions and finalise travel plans.

“VORRA and Motorsport Australia are meeting weekly, discussing the situation, we are doing our best to run this event, but due to government restrictions, our hands are tied.

“VORRA and the local Rainbow town committees have worked for many months planning this event and are looking forward to welcoming you all to Rainbow.”

The Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro is the third event on the 2021 AORC calendar to have issues around COVID-19 this year.

Victoria’s lockdown in June prevented Victorians from attending the Tatts Finke Desert Race, while the Can-Am Loveday 400 was forced to postpone from July to September due to New South Wales’ outbreak.

Currently there are a record 73 crews registered for the round, which takes place in the West Victorian rural town of Rainbow on 27-29 August.