The third win in a row for driver Eli Evans and co-driver Glen Weston in their G2 Honda Jazz saw the team in front of competitors by more than eight minutes.
Marking the mid-point of the season, the International Rally QLD took place over the weekend on the Sunshine Coast. The rally held some challenges, with heavy rainfall in the preceding day leaving roads slippery and unpredictable. A rocky start for Evans and Weston threw the Jazz into a spin on Stage One, with a flat tyre on Stage Two – difficult to change on the roads – impacting heavily on their stage times.
The team made a strong recovery, said Weston. “We discussed our predicament and decided to put in stage times that were consistently fast but not putting our car at risk over the rough ground. By the end of day one we had managed to move back up into second outright in the two-wheel drive championship.”
Day Two of the rally ran a lot smoother for the team, though rougher roads took their toll on competitors. “Fortunately for us, J.A.S has built an incredibly robust car and the G2 Honda Jazz soaked up everything that the rough roads threw at us,” said Weston. “We now have a handy lead in the points for the season which gives us some breathing space. We’re incredibly happy to have finished every stage of the rally this year.”
Teammates Mark Pedder and Claire Ryan were unfortunately taken out of the action by a fuel pump failure on Saturday. By Sunday, recovery efforts saw them placing second behind Evans and Weston, on every stage except one.
Co-driver Ryan said the roads were very rough this year and tested both car and crew. “Mark and I continue to work well together and are very grateful for the hard work of our team, who helped us return to the competition on Sunday.”
The next round of the 2012 Bosch Australian Rally Championship, the Scouts Rally SA, will be held on 28th to 29th July in South Australia’s picturesque Barossa Valley, Mount Crawford and Murrayland regions.
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