Evans continues ARC domination

Toyota driver Simon Evans, and co-driver wife, Sue, have broken their South Australian hoodoo, taking victory in today's Heat 2 of the Toyota Kluger Rally South Australia. Today’s win gives the pair eight straight Australian Rally Championship heat wins, after they also secured the top spot on the podium yesterday.

Last year’s rally winner, Steve Glenney, was intent on keeping the pressure on Evans today, and despite difficulties in the first stage of the day with a fogged up windscreen and a flat tyre, he went on to win three of the day’s stages, including the last. Evans, though, won five stages, and came home the eventual winner by 19.1 seconds. Considering he hasn’t rallied on gravel since this event last year, it was a fine performance from the Subaru driver and his co-driver, Bernie Webb.

Another Subaru driver, Dean Herridge, with Bill Hayes alongside, completed the podium placings. Just six days ago, the pair were on the podium in China, having finished second in a round of the Chinese National Rally Championship! 

TRD’s Neal Bates and Coral Taylor brought their S2000 Corolla home in fourth place, followed by Brendan Reeves/Rhianon Smyth (Subaru). Spencer Lowndes/Chris Randell (Mitsubishi) equaled their sixth outright placing from yesterday, with the Pirtek Ford Rally Team Focus of Michael Guest and Mark Stacey just behind them.

South Australian’s Sam Brand (Subaru) and Brett Kipling (Mitsubishi) will be happy with their efforts today, finishing eighth and ninth, as should young Victorians Paul Batten/Craig Jones, who took tenth place overall.

Results: Toyota Kluger Rally South Australia Heat 2

1. Simon Evans/Sue Evans, Toyota;

2. Steve Glenney/Bernie Webb, Subaru; 

3. Dean Herridge/Bill Hayes, Subaru

4. Neal Bates/Coral Taylor, Toyota;

5. Brendan Reeves/Rhianon Smyth, Subaru;

6. Spencer Lowndes/Chris Randell, Mitsubishi;

7. Michael Guest/Mark Stacey, Ford;

8. Sam Brand/Matthew Gooding, Subaru;

9. Brett Kipling/Fred Gocentas, Mitsubishi;

10. Paul Batten/Craig Jones, Subaru.

A full report will follow. 

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