Tristan Penhall and co-driver Jolie Middleton will be campaigning to end violence against women and children as they contest the three-event Victorian Noted Rally Series.

“After the last few years of rallying for our own personal enjoyment, we wanted to do something to make a difference in our community,” Penhall said.

“Preventing and ending violence against women and children is something that Jolie and I feel strongly about and is such an important issue that supporting the White Ribbon campaign was the obvious choice for us.”

The pair will deck out their Subaru WRX STI with the White Ribbon logo and special livery bearing their slogan: Penhall Motorsport rallying to end violence against women and children.

If they win the 4WD series, they will donate the $2500 prize to the Bendigo-based Centre for Non-Violence.

Middleton said they would encourage fellow competitors and the wider  community to take a stand, swear the White Ribbon oath, and display a car sticker to that effect.

“Rallying is such a male dominated sport, so there is a good audience for us to reach out to,” she said.

 “And it is amazing to see the support we have been getting already.”

The VNRS, sponsored by Bendigo Tyre Centre, runs in conjunction with the last three rounds of the Victorian Rally Championship. It starts on October 19 at Akademos and includes Rally Victoria and Rally Bonnie Doon.

Middleton said event documents would include details about their campaign.

Rally Victoria organisers hope to have the White Ribbon logo on all competing cars at the middle race of the series and will invite Penhall to speak about the issue at the driver pre-race briefing.

Penhall and Middleton will also support the Bendigo White Ribbon Day community event on November 25, leading the walk around the CBD in their car and transporting the “family violence elephant” on their roof.

They are excited about returning to rallying after a nine-month break and backing a good cause.

To get involved, visit www.penhallmotorsport.com.au