Home comforts await team Rullo in Western Australia

After an unusually long break between rallies, the EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) returns to action at an eagerly anticipated Forest Rally in Western Australia this weekend.

IntelliSpatial Fleetcare Racing is yet again aiming high and looking to continue their strong form on what has historically been a strong round for the Perth-based team.

The second round of the series will therefore give some added comforts for drivers Alex and Peter Rullo, who are relishing the chance to yet again rally in front of some of their closest family and friends.

A fourth place each for both drivers during the season opener in Canberra was coupled with dramas, and added consistency will be required to achieve strong results this weekend

Not only are the team’s regular rivals in attendance, but the popularity of the championship has seen remarkable international flavour make the long trip ‘down under’ for this rally.

The Rullo pairing will be up against former Junior World Rally Champion and current Swedish Rally Championship leader, Tom Kristensson, who brings incredible speed and talent aboard a Skoda.

Irish Rally Academy driver, Patrick O’Brien, will also be hoping to upset the Australians’ party by showing his talent

Those international entries are in addition to Race Torque stablemates, New Zealanders Hayden Paddon and John Kennard, who are working with IntelliSpatial Fleetcare Raing for the entirety of season 2025.

Alex Rullo says the added competition is a benefit to his progression as a driver and is something that will push him forward on the stages.

Partnered by co-driver Steve Glenney, they will start sixth on the road.

“I think the new competition is good,” Alex Rullo said. “I might be biased, but I think it's the best rally of the year, so I’m looking forward to the challenge, and it's great that we’ve got a couple more internationals coming over.

“Obviously, the competition was already high, but it'll be taking another step up.”

The loose road surface is synonymous with rallying in Western Australia, and the small marble-like rocks make grip hard to come by.

Cars often ‘skate’ across the top of the road surface creating plenty of sideways action for fans to enjoy.

Weather may also play a part, and with a chance of rain, there could be an additional challenge.

“I don't think the rain will be too bad,” Alex Rullo added. “If anything, it might just settle the dust a little bit.

“My first rally was at the Forest Rally when it absolutely bucketed down, and I don't want to do that again, let's put it that way, but a little bit of rain will be nice.”

Based two hours south of the state’s capital, Perth, rallying in their home state holds fond memories for both drivers.

Peter Rullo made his gravel rallying debut in the state and is currently the leader of the West Australian Rally Championship.

Alex Rullo won his first stage in the ARC on this rally in 2023, while also achieving the state championship title a year ago.

“It’s so cool to be racing with all our family and friends watching, and a lot of them are competing as well, so we’re really looking forward to it,” he shared.

“It's quite a tight-knit rally community in WA and we’re all really excited to get the action started.”

Western Australia’s rallying history is long and storied. The state hosted Rally Australia, a round of the World Rally Championship, consecutively from 1989 to 2006, while the Forest Rally is celebrating 25 years based in Busselton and Nannup to the south of Perth.

A ceremonial start will take place on the waterfront in Busselton on Friday night, before the fast-paced action can be witnessed in the forests on Saturday and Sunday.

Live coverage will also be available on the ARC’s online accounts.