Stage 1 claimed several of the big names, with mechanical issues forcing Geoff Portman and Ross Runnalls to an early retirement when their newly acquired MK II BDG Escort broke and axle. Simon and Sue Evans in the awesome HQ V8 suffered brake failure, and Evans was forced to use the hand brake only to guide the monster through the last half of SS1 and all of SS2 before retiring at the Service Park on route to SS3.
The service park was becoming increasingly scattered with crews, as Craig and Carrie Morris returned from Heat 1 with a boost issue in their EVO 8 Lancer. The Raymond brothers were also forced out with their Corolla Sportivo jammed in 3rd gear.
Meanwhile out in the forest Eli Evans and Glen Weston were showing the field that 2WD can still do the job, winning SS1 by 10 seconds. Steve Kenway and Lauren Palmer pushed hard in SS2, taking the stage by 16 seconds over Eli Evans. Warren Lee and David Lethlean were warming up and finished SS2 just 1 second back from Evans and Weston, but a stick through the Intercooler on their EVO 9 Lancer, was causing them to drop boost and valuable seconds going into SS3.
Spectators at the “Gravel Pit” were left wondering where a few of the cars had gone, but the cars arriving didn’t disappoint, in particular Wayne Stewart and Lucas Zinnstag who clipped the bank and came close to a roll caused a big cheer. Stewart commented later “Gotta give the fans a show!”.
Evans hit back with the 2WD Honda Civic Type R is SS3 and took the stage win over Kenway, to win the heat by 12 seconds with Lee and Lethlean fighting low boost to hang in for 3rd.
The 2WD Class was spearheaded by Evans in the Honda, but Brian Semmens and Dan Parry were showing they were still on the pace in 2nd with Wollard and Wright rounding out the top 3.
In the BATRONIC Excel Class the Mackenzie brother took the points over Tony and Nikki More by 37 seconds with Thompson and Barton-Ancliff coming in 3rd in the Heat.
After a 45 minute service the crews headed out for a repeat of the morning Stages. Grant Walker and Craig Thomas showed the spirit we all love in rallying by swapping his rear axle with that of Portman, so Portman could get some time in the car. Craig Morris also lent a hand to fellow competitors Lee and Lethlean by way of an intercooler, which would see Lee and Lethlean through to Finish 3rd in Heat 2.
Kenway and Palmer’s great run and quick times would come to an end on SS5 when they slid wide on a corner and ended up off the road. Evans and Weston had a faultless last 3 Stages to Win Heat 2 and take the overall event win. Tristan Penhall and Jolie Middleton showed their increasing speed by sneaking through the field to finish a very credible 3rd outright.
Semmens and Parry would take out the EXEDY 2WD category over Wollard / Wright in the ever sideways 1600 with Roe and Farrell grabbing the points in 3rd.
Tony and Nikki Moore would come home hard taking the Heat win over the Mackenzie boys and finishing 1st Excel, Thompson and Barton-Ancliff finished in 3rd.
The EXEDY VRC will now head to Rally Victoria on November 11th and 12th, where the Outright and 2WD Champions will be crowned
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