The Legana Tyres & More Retreat Rally, round 1 of the Tasmanian Rally Series, has an exciting addition. Run on April 5, the rally will feature the state’s first ever Power Stage.
The “Brakes Direct Power Stage” will be the final and longest stage of the event, taking in 27km of smooth, fast, downhill forestry roads with a number of crests and jumps to test the very brave. The fastest outright and fastest 2WD crews on the Brakes Direct Power Stage will be announced as the winners.
Unlike the WRC and ARC, which compete for bonus championship points, Tasmanian crews will have a different incentive. Brakes Direct, Australia’s experts in automotive braking components, will award the fastest outright crew a $300 voucher and fastest 2WD a $200 voucher to be redeemed at Brakes Direct.
“It is very exciting to announce the Brakes Direct Power Stage to the Tasmanian Rally Community,” Event Secretary Mitch Newton said.
“We are very fortunate to have Greg Latham from Brakes Direct supporting this initiative and offering such a great prize incentive for crews to compete for.”
Both the Legana Tyres & More Rally and Brakes Direct Power Stage are set to be hotly contested. In 4WD, reigning champion Marcus Walkem (Evo 9) will be challenged by returning 2012 champion Sam Kirkland (Evo 3), in red hot form following an impressive showing at Targa Wrest Point.
2WD is set to be a major tussle with the flamboyant Ben Sheldrick (Commodore) already expressing his interest, as have front runners Aaron Reader (Mirage) and Stuart Rattray (Commodore). With the possibility of Darren Clark (Group B RX7), Lee Peterson (Nissan Sunny) and Alpine star Kade Barrett (Plymouth Firearrow) all entering, the field is certainly wide open.