Subaru rally driver, Cody Crocker, has completed an impressive tarmac rallying debut by finishing in second place at the Mt Buller Sprint.
Jason White, driving a Lamborghini Gallardo, eventually finished up a narrow winner by just 5.75 seconds from Crocker in his Les Walkden Rallying prepared Impreza WRX STI. The Mitsubishi Lancer of Warwick Rooklyn was in third place a further 14.34 seconds behind.
The Subaru driver started the final day under pressure but immediately demonstrated his increasing comfort on tarmac by winning the opening stage.
On the very next stage, Crocker crossed the line in a time of eight minutes 44.49 seconds, a new course record, eclipsing the mark by Jim Richards.
But his grip on the record was brief, with White completing the 16 kilometre sprint 1.69 seconds faster.
Crocker was delighted with his first outing in tarmac racing, hoping there will be more to come in the years ahead.
“We came into here fairly underdone I suppose, with this being my first event on tarmac and being in a brand new car as well,” Crocker said.
“Things have certainly gone well. I’ve felt really comfortable as the weekend has unfolded and the car has performed brilliantly, which is full credit to the team at Les Walkden Rallying.”
“We showed our pace by setting a new record, even though that didn’t last long.”
“It’s been a great experience. Congratulations to everyone involved. It was really well organised and attracted really good crowds over the weekend.”
“Now it’s back to gravel in China in three weeks time. I’m really looking forward to going back as I raced there quite a bit last year, and that is going to help.”
“It would be nice to finish the season with another win, but it’s a fantastic feeling knowing that I’ve already won the championship.”
“The timing of this event has been prefect as we’ve put in some tough competitive kilometres over the past three days, and time in the car is always vital.”
Rally China, the final round of the Asia Pacific Championship, takes place from November 25 to 27. Crocker will be presented with the 2006 driver’s title having dominated the series across first five events he contested this year.
Mt Buller Sprint – Final Results (Provisional)
1 White/White, Lamborghini Gallardo, 1:11:00.91
2 Crocker/Atkinson, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, 1:11:06.48, +5.75 secs
3 Rooklyn/Long, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, 1:11:21.22, +20.31 secs
4 Vandersee/Taylor, Skelta G-Force, 1:12:04.10
5 Close/Close, Porsche Turbo, 1:12:20.92
6 Shears/Shears, Mitsubishi Lancer, 1:13:23.19
7 Pedder/Weston, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, 1:13:46.95
8 Evans/Murphy, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, 1:13;54.45
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