CALTEX READY TO CONTINUE ITS RALLY CHARGE
Caltex’s Simon Evans and Neal Bates will be out to continue their winning ways when the NEC Computers Australian Rally Championship continues at the Coates Rally Queensland this weekend.
The Toyota pair has filled the top two positions aboard their TRD Corollla Sportivos – lubricated by Caltex Havoline – in the two rounds already contested this year.
Bates claimed the championship opener in Canberra while Evans and co-driver wife, Sue stood on top of the podium last month in Western Australia to gain a five point advantage in the lead of the championship entering this weekend’s rally.
Evans, who finished second in the corresponding event last year, believes the mixture of fast and tight tests will provide an opportunity for the Toyota team to once again shine brightly.
“I love the roads in Queensland. They are challenging and are difficult to read, so you really have to rely on your co-driver,” said Evans.
“The events after this one are going to be the tough ones. South Australia and Tasmania have never really worked for me so I’m working on the basis that if I can gain a good result this weekend then we’ll be in a good Championship position and take it a bit easier, hopefully consolidate a bit.”
Bates and long-time co-driver Coral Taylor, who are the most successful Australian-born pairing in the history of the championship, finished third in the final heat of last year’s event and believe they can go at least one better this year.
“The Corollas have been fantastic this year. The roads in Queensland are tough – it is a huge challenge for all of the teams, and we want to keep building on our great start to the season,” said Bates.
Adding further depth to the Caltex ranks is the Pirtek Rally Team Ford Focus driven by Michael Guest.
The rear-wheel drive Caltex-backed Focus is sure to shine in the faster sections, but the tighter areas will provide a tougher challenge; especially if it's wet.
Guest and co-driver Mark Stacey are keen for any challenge, but they’re aware that slippery conditions would give their rivals an advantage.
"Good weather will really show the potential of the Focus," said Guest.
"At the previous round in Western Australia we were actually keen for a little wet weather to pack down the roads. However, the Queensland roads are much firmer in the dry. Wet weather is sure to make it more slippery, especially in the tighter sections.
"Those tighter sections are more like forest tracks and not roads. This means that some of the sections are covered in grass. If those areas are wet we'll be up against it.
"In saying all that, you have to take on the challenge that's presented. I do like this rally as it's a true test of driver skill on the varying stages.
"Despite having run just two events, our team has really come a long way. Our speed is improving and my confidence is getting better every time I get behind the wheel. We have made some further refinements with the car since WA and we are confident of finishing both days in Queensland.
"After a non-finish in Canberra and a 10th placing on the first day in WA, we are now keen to complete an entire event. A clean run for us is sure to see us up inside the top-10."
The Coates Rally Queensland, round three of six in the championship, will consist of two heats across 19 special stages and 195.96 competitive kilometres.
The first special stage will begin at 9:23am on Saturday morning with ten stages contested throughout the opening heat.
NEC Computers Australian Rally Championship
Top Five Points after 2 of 6 rounds
1. Simon Evans 73
2. Neal Bates 68
3. Dean Herridge 56
4. Scott Pedder 41
5. Darren Windus 30
Toyota's Simon and Sue Evans celebrate their victory in the QUIT Forest Rally
The Evans pair pushing hard in their Caltex backed Toyota Corolla Sportivo
Neal Bates and Coral Taylor in their Toyota Corolla Sportivo - lubricated by Caltex Havoline
Michael Guest behind the wheel of his Caltex backed Pirtek Ford Focus in Western Australia