After being crowned 2009 rookie driver champion, Kiel headed into 2010 with hopes of simply improving on past results. Little did the crew of 'The General' know that they'd be in contention for the state 2WD championship and the Clubman Cup championship by the mid season break in July.Â
"Totally unexpected but brilliant! How good is this?" was Kiel's response when asked how he felt about the 'surprise' of heading the Clubman and 2WD championships. "Kiel keeps improving the car and his driving just gets better and better with each event. I have total confidence in him and we'll see what the rest of the season brings" was Anthony's response when asked about the remaining rounds of the season in October and November.
The final round of the WA State Rally championship, the Western Caravans Safari Rally, Chidlow, started well for the D.A.M! crew until a puncture on stage 3 cost too much time and, ultimately cost the amiable duo the State 2WD Championship too. In the end, it was just 10 seconds that the pair needed to finish high enough to guarantee the 2WD championship, but it wasn't to be.Â
Focus for Kiel and Anthony turned to the Clubman Cup Championship and the
final round: the Darling 200, Jarrahdale. "Victory [in the Clubman Cup Championship] is the only option at this point, there is no excuse. All we need is [to finish] 6th or better and the Clubman Drivers Championship will be Kiel's" was Anthony's 'prep talk' for Kiel in the lead up to this event. Kiel was a bit more subdued "being car number 1 it's gonna be tough as we'll be a 300hp road sweeper for the 1st three stages".Â
A bright orange 'Dukes of Hazzard' style colour scheme was launched at this event, and it paid off. The good ol' boys from D.A.M! had a fault free event, bringing the car home spotless and delivered 3rd position behind the crew of Jack Flanagan / Ben Searcy (2nd) and Blair Pugh / Paul Helm (1st).
"Bloody Ripper! This is awesome to win the Clubman Championship..." Kiel beamed after the event "and look! the rear bumper's still intact too - bonus!".Â
Anthony's quote after the event: "Kiel drove impeccably today, even with slippery conditions being car 1, and despite a rogue car on course coming towards us on the final stage, Kiel did the business. Kiel prepares and maintains the car himself from the ground up and it is a great credit to him, he thoroughly deserves this, brilliant job"Â
Interest for the D.A.M! crew turns to 2010 end of year celebrations and then preparations for the 2011 season where the crew will focus on winning the 2011 2WD championship which kicks off at the Quit Forest Rally, Busselton, 15-17 April. Â
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
