For Harry being compared to a parent who has won four Australian Rally Championships to their name was always going to be a big enough challenge, but having the Bates surname was also going to ensure that everyone would be watching all of your highs and lows along the way.
 

On only his third ever rally earlier this year at the National Capital Rally, Harry scored a memorable high, standing on the third step of the ECB ARC podium alongside event winner Molly Taylor and runner up Tony Sullens.
 
“Obviously that was a dream come true to get that sort of result after so few rallies. Then came the reality check,” said Harry.
 
On his next outing, the International Rally of Queensland, a combination of the high grip surface of the stages and the relative standard spec of Harry’s Toyota Corolla conspired to see him end both days parked up with broken driveshafts.
 
“Everyone around me knows the rollercoaster ride of motorsport, but I didn’t, especially after the result in Canberra. What I learnt in Queensland was that motorsport can be cruel, and disappointment can come from no where,” explained Harry.
 
“Then we went to Bateman’s Bay for the NSW State round and what seemed bad in Queensland got a whole lot worse.”
 
Bates would end the day early in Bateman’s when the engine mount broke, dropping the Corolla’s two-litre engine down, cracking the sump, and dropping all of the cars oil.
 
“Unfortunately the damage wasn’t just to the mount and the sump, we needed a whole new engine after that rally. Everyone kept saying after those two events to stay focused and not let it get to you, but you know it’s hard not to dwell on it and let it affect you,” Harry said.
 
With a repaired Corolla, and upgraded engine mounts, Bates and co-driver John McCarthy tackled last weekend’s Narooma Rally, another NSW State Championship round, ready to bounce back from the double disappointment of Queensland and Bateman’s Bay.
 
“I was seeded car two which was a massive learning curve for me having only ever started outside the top ten. I really had to learn what it was like to drive on unswept roads.”
 
“Apart from a bit of rain though the event went incredibly well, the car was terrific to drive, and we managed to finish second outright and only 10 seconds off the pace of winner Andrew Penny who was in a (Subaru Impreza) WRX,” exclaimed Harry.
 
Fully aware that he’s still at the very start of his rallying career Harry is keeping a level head and said that he’s taking every stage kilometre as it comes. “I’ve done more rallies this year than the whole of my career before Canberra, and with every stage I’m feeling more confident in myself.”
 
“Working with John (McCarthy) has been great, we’ve developed well together and we’re perfecting my pace notes every rally.”
 
With a successful result in Narooma, and with his confidence back, Harry confirmed that his sights are set on an entry for Rally Australia. “That’s definitely the plan, and I’m really looking forward to be able to compare my progress against the fastest drivers like Eli (Evans), Simon (Evans) and Molly (Taylor),” he said.
 
“Obviously I can’t match them, they have years of experience and much more powerful cars, but my benchmark is to be within one second per kilometre of their stage times and if I can do that I know I’m doing pretty well.”
 
Coates Hire Rally Australia, the local round of the World Rally Championship and round 4 of the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship kicks off on 10th September.

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