02/04/2019
Just like old times, writing a press release for my mate Bruce Garland who will be in action at Condobolin this weekend.
GARLAND ANSWERS THE CONDO CALL
Cross-country rally maestro Bruce Garland will tackle one of his favourite events this weekend – the Condo 750.
Described as the biggest and best off-road navigational rally in NSW, the event (April 5-7) is run on private and public roads around the far west town of Condobolin, 450km west of Sydney.
Now known as the D’Aquino Liquor Condo 750, the race for cars (including buggies) and all types of motorbikes (including quads and side cars) was first run 31 years ago, in 1988. Garland was there.
“I won that as a navigator for the late Doug Stewart. I did the first two events navigating for Dougie and I’ve won it two or three times outright as a driver myself and have had multiple podiums.
“I reckon I’d be close to 20 Condos. I’ve done 17 Finkes [Finke Desert Race] and I’m sure I have been to Condo more than that!”
The ‘Condo’ attracts competitors from all over Australia and Garland says there are many reasons why: the event includes top-notch tracks that are really technical to drive and navigate, and the town gets right behind it so it’s a fantastic family event with a great atmosphere.
“I love the event, and I love that part of the country,” Garland says.
“I think it’s the start of Australia’s broad-acre farms, so it’s real outback, real ‘bush’. It’s interesting country and the locals are good people, really interesting, real Australians.
“They’re going through what is being called one of the worst droughts in history but they get right behind the race. Obviously it brings a real economic bonus to the town but I think it also lifts people’s spirits. The parade through town on the Friday night is fantastic fun.
“And pretty much all the competitors camp at the showground so there’s so much camaraderie and people helping each other. Plus lots of stories and lies and beers!”
The moto (bikes) and auto (cars) classes do exactly the same total course but on different days, making it safer for everyone. On Day One the bikes will do one course and the cars the other and then they swap for Day Two.
The 2019 event has attracted around 80 entries this year, with 25 in the car class. Garland and navigator Steve Green have entered Class, 5.2, which is for modified 4WD recreational vehicles 3501cc and over.
They are campaigning the Isuzu D-Max which Garland prepared for the 2013 Dakar Rally. It took the pair to third in last year’s Condo 750, and has also had several runs in the Finke Desert Race.
Garland says the Condo is a great training ground for riders and drivers who want to go on to bigger events. Several riders who have won there have gone onto contest the Dakar, and he credits it as helping him develop the skills which led him to a personal best Dakar result of 11th outright in 2009.
He knows he will be up against some tough competition this year for outright honours in the auto division but that is what he is chasing.
“This year there are some very seasoned drivers, people like off-road stalwart Warren Ridge, Tassie rally guru Les Walkden and all-round racer and rally driver, Tony Quinn.
“There’s a few good drivers coming back again, younger guys. Andrew Travis, who won it last year, and Dean George, who is very quick, has won it before. There are a few good dudes in the list and you have to be on the ball with them or they will run over the top of you.”
Garland says the Isuzu D-Max works a lot better in wet weather than the petrol cars, so he’s packing the Toyo Mud Terrain tyres and planning a few rain dances this week to encourage a downpour or two before the start.
“You do need speed but you also need reliability and if both of those are working, you can win it. That’s certainly what we are hoping to do.”
Garland, 60, is one of Australia’s best-known off-road racers with numerous wins and podiums in events such as the Australian Safari, the Round Australia Rally, the Finke Desert Race and the Condo 750. He’s also done well in a number of international events, including five gruelling Dakar Rallies, run in South America. His result in 2009 made him the first private (non-factory-supported) entrant to cross the finish line that year.
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Pic credits to W***y Weyens (D-Max in action on Dakar 2013, left); Randall Kilner (portrait, centre); Keith Hedgeland (testing at the Safari in 2012, right).
