Evans and Weston have had a strong year so far, demonstrating the versatility and technical brilliance of the Honda Civic Type R competing against the four-wheel drive field and achieving their current position of fifth outright, and second outright in the two-wheel drive class.
“We’re ready and excited for the final round of the season, after improving on each and every round this year. We’ve had some proud moments competing against some very strong drivers,” Evans said.
After a rocky start to the year at the Quit Forest Rally in Western Australia, the Evans Motorsport Team began to improve, placing third in round three in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, third again in round four at the Coffs Coast Forest Rally, at the same time winning the 2011 Australian Rally Manufacturer’s Championship for Honda Australia. Evans and Weston look promising in the running for the two-wheel drive title.
Mugen have recently provided a fresh engine, boasting more kilowatts and 200 more rpm than the one it replaces. “We’ve made a big step forward, with the car ready for the final round. The red-line for the new engine is now 9000 rpm, so the crowds should really hear us coming!” Evans said.
Having also replaced the gearbox in the Honda, the team decided to test their new equipment recently and achieved victory at the Akademos Rally, a Victorian State Championship round held in Alexandra. “It worked perfectly,” Evans said of the gearbox, made by Australian engineering company, Holinger, the control transmission of the V8 supercar series. “The roads used for the Akademos Rally are very similar to those we will compete on this weekend, so we think we are a step ahead of the other crews already.”
There have been some challenging moments throughout the year, with wet conditions and some technical issues, however the team has remained professional, positive and determined to finish the year on a high.
“We’re fired up for the final round of what has been a fantastic championship and year of rallying,” Evans said.
The Victorian round of the Bosch ARC takes place on the 11th and 12th of November.