Pirtek LWR Rally Team driver Michael Guest has taken the lead of the QUIT Forest Rally on Heat 2, after rally Simon Evans retired with engine problems on the 20km SS17.
Evans held a solid lead heading into the stage, but his retirement means that it is the first time in over a year that Evans has not won a Heat, let alone finished a Heat.
"I am obviously disappointed to retire from the lead of the rally. Everything was going really well and we had a comfortable lead up until we were forced out," Evans said.
"The team have worked really hard on my new S2000 and I really enjoy driving it, but problems with new cars are not uncommon. It is a part of motorsport and to win 14-straight heats was an amazing achievement. The good thing for the team is that Neal is well-placed to win the rally and I will be hungrier than ever to win next time out in Canberra."
Guest leads by just 1.7 seconds from Neal Bates, with just three stages, and 37km of competitive stages to go.
Heat 2
After SS17
1. Guest 46:09.0s
2. Bates +1.7s
3. E. Evans +23.5s
4. Lowndes +56.6s
5. Raymond +1:29.0
6. Watkins +1:37.6
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