Consistency the aim for Hayes on home rally

Hayes and wife Cathy are leading the 2WD Cup in the Australian Rally Championship and are one of the limited crews to take part in all three rounds of the series thus far.

This weekend’s Gippsland Rally will mark the first time they’ll compete with their new car at their home ARC round.

It’s not the first time they’ve competed on the roads, though.

They competed at the event last year, and some of the roads were also a part of their 2018 state championship-winning season

That year, the George Derrick Memorial Rally was run, and a majority of Sunday’s roads bear a strong resemblance to the roads they won on that season.

Despite being experienced in the area, they’re aware of the challenges that will come.

“It’s been a good fight with Josh (Wiedman) and it’s a lot closer when you consider the drop rounds that will come into effect,” Hayes said.

“Josh is going really well and because there isn’t too much in it, we can usually tell how we’re both going to go ahead of a stage, as we are quicker on tight stuff and they are quicker on the fast stages.

“Gippsland had a lot of fast stuff from what I remember and even though it’s our home rally, I have no doubt Josh will be quick.

“We’re going to take it as it comes though. We will go as hard as we can, but we’re not taking any risks and if there is an opportunity to push for the win later on, then we will.

“With this round being an endurance event, our aim is to be consistent as we have for the past three rounds.”