The Western Australian Rally Championship continues this weekend when competitors tackle the unknown on a completely new course for the MRF Tyres Boddington Rally round.
Clerk of Course Wendy Walker promises the round will challenge the skills of both driver and co-driver, with no one being able to refer to any prior knowledge or experience on this highly technical course.
“This is a hundred percent new course, and an intense one at that, so we’ll be seeing which crews are good at writing their notes from a blank sheet in only two runs,” said Ms Walker.
“Average speeds for all three stages are quite low, so some of the lighter front wheel drives may get amongst the outright placings. The longest straight is 300 metres and there is only a few of those! I hope the co-drivers are good at taking a deep breath, there’s a very busy 26 kilometres ahead after SS2.
“This round boasts a town stage, plus a double dip spectator point just five minutes from town, where spectators are able to view the cars in action on SS1 and SS3.”
Leading the championship standings is Michael Steele who will have co-driver Tracey Dewhurst back by his side in the Japline Subaru Impreza WRX after she missed the Karri Rally round due to rallying commitments in her home state of Victoria.
Only seven points currently separate Steele and the second-placed Dylan King, whose co-driver Abbey Hayes is currently leading the co-drivers championship.
“No last minute rush for Boddington we’re all done and set to go,” said Steele.
“We’ve done a bit of work - I don’t think it’ll keep Dylan at bay, but we’re planning to peg him back as best we can.
“I am feeling confident about Boddington. I think it’s a good thing being the first rally for everybody. Tracey and I write pretty good notes – that’s not really bothering us at all. Up until a couple of years ago, we hadn’t rallied for a fair few years – so it has felt like every round has been new to us and as a result we’ve become quite good at writing new notes.”
Razvan Vlad leads the 2WD Championship, however will be absent for MRF Tyres Boddington Rally round due to work commitments. This will give second placed young gun Kody Reynolds an opportunity to close the 45 point lead between them. Tom Wilde, fresh from his drive in last weekend’s Canberra’s National Rally, will be stepping into the co-driver’s seat for Reynolds in the Trade Hire Subaru Impreza.
Vlad’s co-driver Daymon Niccoli leads the 2WD Co-driver’s Championship but also will be absent from the event.
The Clubman Cup competitors will need to be on their game as they will have the first run of the new course.
“For the Clubmans we’ve used a new road book software to make this event as safe as possible – but competitors will still need their wits about them, particularly as they are opening the course before the State competitors,” said Ms Walker.
Dene Courtis will be out to defend his title as current Clubman Cup leader, he will be teamed with Robert King in the Askwith Safecompany Toyota Corolla FX-GT. Carl Rattenbury and Tracey Rattenbury are just 16 points behind in the Rally Rats Ford Escort.
Tracey Rattenbury is currently leading the Clubman co-drivers on 112 points but it is a three way tie for second between Paul Lowther, Peter Barnes and Jace Van Saarloos all on 80 points.
Full details of current championship standings can be found via www.rallywa.com/points.
This round of the WARC is sponsored by MRF Tyres. MRF tyres are renowned for product superiority and innovation.
Photo supplied by Chris Richmond of CMR Photographic.
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