Both struggles have been raging all season - taking it right down to the wire for the final round.
Hobart’s David Waldon and Ross Ferguson in the e-Home Subaru WRX are leading the chase for outright glory with an eight point lead over the north-west pair Craig Brooks and Adrian Hodgetts, also in a Subaru WRX.
But a severe roll-over in the last round (right)has meant that Waldon has had to completely re-shell his rally car. And although the team at Source Automotive are doing everything they can to make sure it’s okay, the first time that he’ll drive the car in anger is at the rally.
The Brooks/Hodgetts pairing from Burnie are having an easier pre-rally preparation with the Total Alarms Subaru WRX. Although they have been busy repairing the faulty fuel line that let them down and cost them victory in the previous round, as well as performing exhaust repairs after crushing it in the same rally. Â
Brooks is absolutely committed to winning the series this year, and he’s making sure that he can stay ahead of Waldon and snatch the title away from his grasp. He’s won this rally for the last two years, providing him with a valuable psychological advantage.
Also busy have been Hobartians Robert and Michael Stoneman who have been frantically re-building the engine in the Stoneman Garden Centre Mitsubishi Lancer. Although they won the last round, the engine was starting to go ‘off’ towards the end, and after pulling the engine down they discovered that there were some major repairs that urgently needed to be done. Â
They’re in with an outside chance of taking the title, needing both Waldon and Brooks to falter. But in the ever-unpredictable sport of rallying, you never say never.
The contest for 2WD honours is just as tight, with two Holden Commodores neck and neck for that category.
Again it’s a north-west versus south battle, with Craig Sault and Scott Creswell from Hobart holding a slim lead from Nick Kingston and Ben Korpershoek from Smithton. Neither has given an inch to the other all year, but Sault has more speed than Kingston, and on the fast and flowing roads around Scottsdale that might be the advantage that he needs.
After four gruelling rounds so far, the Tasmanian Rally Series culminates over the roads around Mt Horror in the state’s north-east. These roads are fast and flowing, but changeable enough to be a bit tricky – which will sort the men from the boys as they scrabble for traction and fight for the lead.
The field of 17 cars will depart the start area at the Scottsdale Recreation Ground, before heading into the forest to contend a competitive distance of 151km, over 8 stages. First car is scheduled to finish at the North Scottsdale Hall at around 5pm where presentations will also be held.
There will be two spectator points and Spectator Guides can be picked up from the usual businesses in Launceston, Burnie and Hobart, as well as selected locations in Scottsdale.
Photo: Morey Photography
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