Ulladulla’s Gavin and Eric Croker took the win for the second year in succession after a faultless drive. After a scrappy performance in Bega a month ago, the yellow Lancer Evo III was repaired and was as strong as ever and the pair took their second Bay Stages win in succession.
The lead was not all Croker’s however, as ACT’s Richard Leitis and Rob Mules in a Lancer Evo I took the first stage by storm and it took Croker until stage 7 to retake the lead. Leitis was happy to make the podium after a great drive in a revamped car. He also took the ACT Series win on the event.
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Third, and happy to be there, were the current leaders of the NSW Rally Championship, Michael Boaden and Helen Cheers, from Wauchope. A controlled drive was rewarded with an increased lead in the series for 2007, which builds their chances of taking a third title for Michael, and a second for Helen.
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Fourth were Batemans Bay residents, Brad Fitzgerald and Matt Hughes in a Lancer Evo VI, despite an off that caused damage to the car. Fitzgerald’s chase for the ACT Series continues to stay on course.
Gavin Croker’s younger brother, Clinton, with Clyde Green calling the notes in another of the Croker Motorsport Evo III Lancers, was fifth. After nearly rolling and having a spin at an intersection, the Ulladulla crew broke a driveshaft with the finish almost in sight, and it may have cost them the chance to beat Fitzgerald to fourth place.
The next round of the NSW Rally Championship is in Coffs Harbour on August 18.
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