Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg has swapped the bowling crease for closed roads, finishing on the podium in his first rally at Lance East Exotics Tarmac West, Western Australia’s premier tarmac rally, held from 17 to 20 September in Perth and surrounds.

Over four days and 34 stages, competitors were set to tackle 218 competitive kilometres of closed roads and 932 kilometres of driving in total.

The route ran from a ceremonial start in Forrest Place to twilight street stages in Ellenbrook, through Parkerville, Kalamunda and the famous Zig Zag in the Perth Hills, out to the long, flowing marathon-day stages around Toodyay, Maryville Downs and Bullsbrook, and back to Perth for the finale on tight and technical streets in Malaga and the City of Perth.

In the biggest field since 2014, 70 rally cars entered with 16 rookie crews making up almost a quarter of the entry, Hogg included.

As it goes in endurance motorsport, attrition was heavy: 60 cars started Day 2, 54 started Day 3, and 50 crossed the finish line in the City of Perth on Sunday afternoon.

Hogg and co-driver Lachlan White finished third in the Time Speed Distance (TSD) category in a 2016 BMW M140i supplied by GMW Racing, behind Teresa and Timothy Lupton (Peugeot 208 GTi) and Peter Hay and Gene Schneider (Tesla Model 3 Performance).

Introduced in 2024 for standard road cars, TSD requires only a helmet, race suit and an AASA General Speed Licence. Crews drive the same stages as the rally field, but instead of racing the clock they must finish each stage as close as possible to a set target time, with heavier penalties for finishing early than late.

“The others in the GMW team will be trying to win with speed, but in my category it’s trying to win by controlling speed. Meeting the time goal is the challenge,” Hogg said before the start.

By Day 2 in the Perth Hills, Hogg and White had recorded their first perfect stage.

“We got our first zero today, which is sensational,” Hogg said.

“On our first timed stage yesterday, I was five seconds under and then five seconds over on another. I’m having too much fun.”

The final stages ran alongside the Celebration of Motorsport at Langley Park, where 600 cars were on display, from muscle cars and hot rods to exotics, classics and race cars, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to Perth’s riverfront.

“It was absolutely sensational, four days of rallying, we’ve had such great fun,” Hogg said referring to himself and co-driver White.

“It’s very similar to cricket in a way. You’ve got to sit around and wait, you’re working as a team, but to get a bowl or a bat you just have to wait and then do your job.

“The adrenalin rush is absolutely sensational.”

At the finish line in the City of Perth, Hogg was all smiles, clearly elated to have completed his first rally.

“When you have a good co-driver like Lachlan, who pulls you back when you’re getting a little bit too cocky, you’re feeling in safe hands. Thanks to Tarmac West and GMW for giving me the opportunity, and to all the sponsors, there’s so much work that goes into it.”

An all-rounder noted for his fitness, Hogg represented Australia in 123 One Day Internationals, seven Tests and 99 other first-class games before first retiring in 2008, then returned to play T20 for Australia and for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL.

Lance East Exotics Tarmac West is run by Tarmac Events WA with the support of its sponsors and 300 volunteer officials.