Evans battled tyre problems in Round 1 in Tasmania, and gearbox problems in Round 2 in Western Australia, but still salvaged a close second place behind Scott Pedder in both events.
After having won two championships in a Toyota Corolla, and one in a Mitsubishi Lancer, Evans and his co-driver wife Sue switched to a Subaru Impreza WRX STI in a bid to become the first driver ever to win Australian Rally Championships in three different makes of car.
The ambitious goal has seen Evans on somewhat of a learning curve as the Tankformers team sorts out some teething problems, while learning how to best utilise the new Kumho control tyres on his new car.
Evans has also been battling a familiar and fast foe in a fast car, with Scott Pedder returning to the Australian Rally Championship in a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX – the 2010 Australian Rally Championship slowly turning into a two-man shootout.
An extra element will be thrown into the mix for Round 3 of the championship, with the Coffs Coast Rally being designated as the endurance round of the series.
The event runs for almost 100 extra kilometres in comparison to a regular championship round, with competition starting early on Friday afternoon and running through the whole weekend.
“It’s been a tough start to the season for us,” said Evans.
“We were forced to use a different tyre compound to Scott in Tasmania, and we had gearbox problems in Western Australia – to be honest, we were very lucky to finish in WA, but the Tankformers Subaru kept going and eventually made it to the end.
“Our aim for Coffs Harbour is to have a problem-free event.
“It’s going to be difficult though – the longer distance means that how you use the allocation of control tyres will become even more important.
“When we have been on the right tyres with a healthy car, we have been very quick so far this season – hopefully we can make sure that is the situation for us more often.”
The Coffs Coast Rally takes place in the forests surrounding Coffs Harbour on May 14-16.
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