It was an great Australian Rally Championship (ARC) debut for the Nat Rallysport duo of Nat Dillon and Mark Malpas at the National Capital Rally.
The duo went to Australia's capital with the aim to finish the rally but the result proved to be so much better than expected for the team and their bright yellow Suzuki Baleno.
The 13 stages were held in the forests to the east and the west of the famous city with cold and changeable weather.
The first stage - the 6.5km Colverwells test almost ended in disaster.
"I made a mistake with a wrong note in the first stage and we went off the road and nearly ended our rally in a stump," Dillon said.
It was only lightening fast reflexes that saved the situation from certain disaster.
Dillon eased off for a stage or so while he got used to the pacenoted event, with ample help from experienced codriver, Malpas.
The rest of the first day continued without major drama either on stage or mechanically.
Day two though started in cold, windy and wet conditions - challenging for any driver.
There was only one minor error for Dillon.
The stages on Sunday were also more technical than Saturday's stages and many drivers suffered mistakes and crashes.
Dillon and Malpas held their nerves and kept their heads to take a class win in the Two Wheel Drive (2WD) class, in ARC 2WD and in P3.
"We went to the event with a plan to finish as i knew if we could finish we could score valuable points.
"The event was the adventure and experience of a lifetime that I had hoped for and winning the CAMS ARC 2WD section just put the icing on the cake."
Next on the quest for the ARC2 crown and the chance to win an entry to the Kennards Hire Rally Australia is the SR Automotive Manumbar Rally on 24th June.
This MRF Tyres Queensland Rally Championship event makes up one of the two State rounds needed to compete in the ARC2 competition, alongside the National Capital Rally.
"For a small family run team, rallying does not come without the generous help of our partners and supporters.”
- Team release / Photo: Sam Tickell
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