TRD Rally's two-time and reigning Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans has secured outright victory in Rally SA despite spinning on Stage 17 and driving through torrential rain and hail during the event's final three stages.

Evans secured his first outright Australian Rally Championship victory behind the wheel of an S2000 Corolla when he beat home younger brother Eli and team-mate and championship leader, Neal Bates.

However, the rally's closing stages were not without drama.

Evans and Bates headed into the final three stages of Heat 2 in first and second, but the pair both spun on the same corner in the treacherous conditions, dropping time to the younger Evans.

The TRD pair then had to settle for second and third for the heat, earning Evans enough points for the outright win, whilst Bates consolidated his championship lead by also finishing third overall.

Team TRD now takes a well-deserved brake before heading to Tasmania in early October for the first all-tarmac rally in ARC history, the Tasmanian Tarmac Challenge on 4-5 October.

Simon Evans, Car #1 - Toyota Corolla S2000:

"That was a very hard win in really tough conditions. The weather on those last few stages was just incredible. Eli did an amazing job in the wet, so congratulations to him. We still have a little bit of work to do on out wet set-up, but we learnt a lot today. To come back from the crash in the last round and to win, driving the S2000 Corolla as hard as we did, in extremely slippery conditions is a real testament to the whole team."

Neal Bates, Car #2 - Toyota Corolla S2000:

"The bad weather really set in during the final three stages, but to score first and third in weather like that is great for the team. We took a great haul of points this weekend as well which consolidates our position in the championship, so although we lost a little ground this afternoon when we spun, we will leave South Australia pretty happy."


Australian Rally Championship

Rally South Australia

Heat 1 - Final Results (corrected):

1) Simon Evans Toyota Corolla S2000 1h03m6.8s

2) Neal Bates Toyota Corolla S2000 +40.7

3) Eli Evans Subaru Impreza WRX +1:20.9

4) Spencer Lowndes Mitsubishi Lancer EVO +2:19.4

5) Glen Raymond Toyota Corolla Group N (P) +2:21.6

6) Justin Dowel Mitsubishi Lancer EVO +3:38.8


Australian Rally Championship

Rally SA

Heat 2 - Final Results:

1) Eli Evans Subaru Impreza WRX 57m19.4s

2) Simon Evans Toyota Corolla S2000 +6.9

3) Neal Bates Toyota Corolla S2000 +17.7

4) Spencer Lowndes Mitsubishi Lancer EVO +56.0

5) Justin Dowel Mitsubishi Lancer EVO +3:00.3

6) Dennis Dunlop Mitsubishi Lancer EVO +3:43.4

Australian Rally Championship

Rally SA

Overall Results:

1) Simon Evans Toyota Corolla S2000

2) Eli Evans Subaru Impreza WRX

3) Neal Bates Toyota Corolla S2000

4) Spencer Lowndes Mitsubishi Lancer EVO

5) Justin Dowel Mitsubishi Lancer EVO

6) Glen Raymond Toyota Corolla Group N (P)

Australian Rally Championship

Rally SA

Championship Standings:

1) Neal Bates Toyota Corolla S2000 - 283 points

2) Eli Evans Subaru Impreza WRX - 226

3) Simon Evans Toyota Corolla S2000 - 187  

4) Spencer Lowndes Mitsubishi Lancer EVO - 184  

5) Michael Guest Subaru Impreza WRX - 123

6) Glen Raymond Toyota Corolla Group N (P) - 122

SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY

RallySport Magazine Subscription
Select Subscription Level
Select Subscription Length
Recurring Subscription Cost
A subscription to RallySport Magazine give you access to all our rally content from Australia, New Zealand and around the world – with news, features and experiences nobody can match. Our team are dedicated to providing an unrivalled experience which shares, supports and promotes the sport of rallying.
Already have an account?

By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.

We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires. If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period. You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.

Account Details
Payment Information

By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.

We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires. If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period. You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.

Show Your Support

Author

Title

Go to Top