Brendan Reeves has continued his blistering pace and form, coming up trumps in a dramatic heat one of Lightforce Rally SA.
Brendan Reeves is in the form of his career and took another victory. (Photo: Peter Whitten)Reeves didn't have it all his own way, but still led a drama-filled Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship field, where almost all of his nearest challengers fell by the wayside.
Championship leader Harry Bates (crash) and Mark Pedder (blown engine) both failed to finish the heat, whilst others were just lucky to make it through.
Simon Evans collided with a kangaroo early on in the day, but a flock of kangaroos in the South Australian night caused more issues.
Evans hit the roos 300 metres from the end of the penultimate stage, and could only limp through the final forest stage, Crawford, losing nearly 14 minutes to drop to seventh place overall.
Molly Taylor had a consistent day and kept out of trouble to bring home her factory Subaru home in second place overall for the heat, her best result so far this season.
In another Subaru, Brad Markovic, had a relatively up and down day, but finished with flying colours to end up in third just two seconds behind Taylor.
Second place is Molly Taylor's best result this season. (Photo: Peter Whitten)Local James Rodda had some minor issues in the night stages, but finished the day a very solid fourth overall.
Young Victorian, Arron Windus, finished his first national championship heat in fifth, despite several spins during the day, and a broken driveshaft in the night stages.
The rally resumes tomorrow with six forest stages around the Adelaide hills.
HEAT ONE PLACINGS (provisional)
1. Reeves/Gelsomino, Subaru Impreza WRX, 56:25.8
2. Taylor/Hayes, Subaru WRX STI, +02:10.7
3. Markovic/Macneall, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, +02:12.7
4. Rodda/Langfield, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, +05:23.0
5. Windus/Allen, Subaru Impreza WRX, +05:35.3
- Luke Whitten