Harry Bates is hoping a hometown advantage will help maintain the momentum of his 2016 campaign as the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) rolls in to Canberra for the National Capital Rally (May 27 to 29).
Bates and co-driver John McCarthy kicked off their first full ARC season with a spectacular second place in their Toyota Genuine Parts-backed Corolla S2000 in last month's Forest Rally in Perth.
The dynamic duo finished the WA event with the same points tally as the eventual winners, based on their respective positions in heats one and two, with a bonus point for most stage wins deciding the final order.
Sitting just one point away from the championship lead, the rugged, undulating forestry roads around Canberra now lie ahead of them.
The Toyota Genuine Parts Corolla S2000 ran flawlessly in WA and Bates says he is looking forward to competing in his own backyard.
"We scored a podium here last year in my first ARC rally, and it would be nice to improve on that result, especially in front of family and friends," Harry said.
"I was happy with our performance in WA, and the championship position is a nice one to be in, but I've been focused on preparations for Canberra and making sure we're ready to attack from the start," he said.
The National Capital Rally covers a huge area to the east and west of the city, with competitive stages ranging from an evening Super Special Stage just outside the CBD on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, to remote locations including the infamous 'Kowen Jump' in the ACT's north-east corner where committed competitors regularly take flight at high speed.