“I’d given it a lot of thought, and I said earlier in the year that I was searching for a challenge that would get me excited,” explained Justin.
“So I gave the Classics a go, and the SxS’s and then I jumped back in the 4WD Lancer, and at the end of the day I realised what I was missing was that feeling of outright competition.”
So with that in mind, and with one eye on the 2014 season, Dowel will once again reunite with his VW for Rally Queensland.
“I’m really looking forward to be back out there with my mates, swapping stage times and having a real go,” he said. “So I’m looking at the remaining rallies this year as a warm-up to really launch myself into 2014.”
“I’m certainly not looking to go out and win at Rally Queensland or any of the other events this year, it’s about getting the experience in the car and feeling comfortable and hopefully getting faster and faster,” Dowel added.
One major change will be in the co-drivers seat with the recent announcement that Sue Evans will join Dowel for Rally Queensland.
“I’d have really loved to have Matt (Lee) back in the co-drivers seat, but he’s still incredibly busy at work. So I was speaking with Simon Evans and he suggested giving Sue a call, which I did, and I was really pleased that she agreed to come for a ride in Queensland.”
Dowel’s Volkswagen, which has been in the hands of reigning Australian Rally Champion Michael Boaden during the first half of the year, arrived back in Dowel’s workshops only recently giving his team limited time to prepare for Rally Queensland.
“Michael’s obviously been using the car this year, so when we got it back we set about giving it a bit of a freshen up and we’re just waiting on some parts,” Justin said.
“I’m hopeful we’ll have it back together in enough time to give it a good test before Queensland, I’m really looking forward to the challenge of driving it again, it’s a demanding car but when you get it right it’s incredibly rewarding as well!”
Dowel’s addition means rally fans can look forward to three VW Polo’s roaring through the Queensland forests, with Boaden and Mick Patton in similar machines, as well as the rest of the ECB ARC field in their two-wheel drive rally cars.
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