The first event for the 2008 Victorian Rally Championship has been run and won. While not a perfect start to the season for the BlackWolf Rally team, Nat Presutto, Marcus Richards and the boys aren’t fazed and are eagerly awaiting the chance to have a red hot go at their next event.
With serious competition put on hold last year to concentrate on work commitments, it’s been a long time between rallies and the BWR Team were ready and raring to go for round 1 of the Vic Rally Championship.
After a brief shakedown run early in the week before the event, Nat and Marcus were very happy with the car, with Nat commenting, "It has never felt so good!"
The rolling green hills of Neerim, together with a beautiful sun soaked day, greeted all on Saturday morning. It was a perfect backdrop for the start of the 2008 Victorian Rally Championship, and with a field of some of the best drivers in the country competing, the Cerberus Stages Rally promised to be an exciting event.
Before things got underway the service crew did one final check and the 2008 championship officially began for the Black Wolf Rally Team.
Nat started the day with care, which if you ask Marcus, lasted about 4.5 seconds. “We were in the groove, we’re back! Everything is working perfectly,” said Marcus.
Early reports from Stage 1 were very positive. According to spectators, Nat and Marcus looked to be one of the fastest cars out there. After a fantastic start, the team’s luck was about to run out! About 3.5kms from the end of the stage they got a puncture on the right rear! To save as much time as possible, the pair decided to drive to the end of the stage on the flat, rather than lose a few minutes swapping tyres on stage. To the team’s surprise, they still managed a top ten time!
Stage 2 started where Stage 1 finished, FAST! Nat was determined to pick up the pace and grab back some lost time. This idea was short lived, however. About 2km into the stage a terrible noise started coming from the gearbox! The front diff had broken and forced an early retirement from the event.
“Despite the set back, I'm very happy with the car. The new Mintex Racing pads were fantastic, great bite, no fade, they worked really well with our setup, and the car will only improve over the year! That’s what’s exciting for me - more speed!” Nat commented after the event.
With "going faster" on the brain, Nat and Marcus can't wait to get out there again for VRC number 2 – The East Gippsland Stages on May 10 in Bairnsdale.
The team would like to thank all their valued sponsors, their hard working service crew & team, and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make sure the event happened. Thank you one and all!
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