The Darling 200 that will be held on Saturday is the final round in the Western Australian Rally Championship for 2WD and Clubman Cup competitors. Attracting 37 teams, both championships have podium places for the taking with teams looking for strong season finish. The eight-stage event will take place around Jarrahdale over 195 kilometres, 90 kilometres of which is competitive.
With soaring temperatures predicted to reach the high 30s on Saturday, competitors will have the added challenge of keeping themselves, and their cars, cool.
2WD
Mark Travers & Tony Floyd lead the 2WD Championship ahead of Darling 200.With just a point separating second, third, fourth in the 2WD Championship standings, competitors have their sights firmly set on a podium place this weekend.
Mark Travers has a comfortable lead, despite missing the Expert’s Cup in round 4 of the Championship. Travers and co-driver Lee Tierney in the LRT Custom Engineering Toyota AE86 are 30 points ahead of Gregory Flood and Deeann Flood, with Shane Harmer and Nicholas Anyan in the Onslow Contracting Holden Commodore VH nipping at their heels just one point behind. Andy Van Kann and Madelin Kirkhouse in the Platinum Automotive Toyota TE26 sit in fourth.
A mechanical fitter at Cristal in Bunbury, Travers said that he is thankful he’s able to compete.
“I’m just happy to be back in the country so I can do the event – we were trapped in Bali because of the ash cloud, and it was just lucky we were able to get on an emergency flight home. Friends of ours are still stuck in Bali,” Travers said.
“I’m feeling comfortable about the Darling 200, and this weekend we’ll be taking it steady, steady to finish and maintain our lead. There’s no need for us to take unnecessary risks.
“The car is in good condition, it pulled up well after the Carringtons Safari and only needed the usual maintenance – I’ve got to say, the crew at LRT have been awesome and they give up a lot of their time. It would be great to win the championship for them, as well as for myself.
“It’s been a strange season for us, and it’s really unexpected to be leading the championship – I’m stoked, to be in this position, but I think we’ve been pretty lucky to be honest,” Travers said.
Self-employed electrician Greg Flood said he is feeling relaxed going into the final round.
“I’m going to take it as it comes. I’ve been doing this for thirty years and these days, it’s about spending time with my daughter (co-driver Deeann) and having a laugh,” Flood said.
The five-time winner of Targa West and three-time State Champion said the car was in good shape.
“I’d love to win, of course, but the way I look at it Mark (Travers) has a fair lead, so the only way I’d be able to win is if he doesn't finish. It’s always a fun battle with the other drivers and there’s not much in it this year.
Flood said that he’s changed something in the car that he’s trialling this weekend, keeping his cards close to his chest.
“I won’t say what I’ve changed just yet – but I can say it’ll either work for me, or against me, and it’s been something that’s been bugging me for two years,” the 60-year-old said.
Hot on Flood’s heels in third place is Manager Onslow Construction Shane Harmer who said that his main focus this year was the Clubman Cup.
“To be in third place leading into the final round is totally unexpected, but I’ll definitely be pushing this weekend. The battles we have with Floody are always fun.
“One thing’s for sure, I’m not looking forward to the heat, but I am looking forward to the event. The car is in great shape just needing a bit of panel repair work after the Safari,” Harmer said.
Clubman Cup
In their first full season rallying every event together, Jason Lowther and his father Paul Lowther have finished on the podium each time, and it’s a trend the championship leaders intend to continue. In their in the LRT Custom Engineering Toyota Corolla, they lead the championships by 62 points making them the champions-elect.
While the championship winner has been decided, the next two places on the podium are up for grabs. In second place is last year’s championship winner, Rally Rat’s Carl and Tracey Rattenbury in the Ford Escort, and trailing by just four points is Dene Courtis and Robert King in their Askwith Safe Company Toyota Corolla FX GT.
Jason Lowther said that the Darling 200 this weekend would be a stress free event for the team.
“We’re going to have fun this weekend – we’ve already won the championship which is so awesome, but we want to continue with finishing on the podium like we have every event this season,” the FMG Materials Coordinator said.
“Our team is a family affair – I’ve got dad as co-driver and he’s a rally veteran with loads of experience, and I have to thank my brother Simon and his business LRT Custom Engineering for all their support – they maintain the car and do the servicing.
“The car is in great shape – let’s hope the driver is too!” quipped Lowther.
Courtis said that besides two DNFs this season, he’s happy with his current third position in the Championship but has his sights set higher.
“We’re aiming to beat Carl (Rattenbury) on Saturday and finish on the podium – the goal is to be runner up of the Championship. But first we have to finish,” Courtis said.
The State Rookie of the Year Driver and Co-Driver titles will also be decided at the completion of the Darling 200.
The Darling 200 is the final round of the Western Australian Rally Championship for 2WD and Clubman Cup, and will be held on Saturday November 14, starting from Jarrahdale oval at 12pm. For more information, please visit the RallyWA website.
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