Leading Mitsubishi driver, Access Hardware’s Spencer Lowndes and Co-Driver Chris Randell have finished fourth outright in the fourth round of the Australian Rally Championship (ARC), the Sprint Auto Parts Rally South Australia.
The strong finish sees Lowndes sitting second in the ARC Privateers Cup behind Eli Evans and fourth outright in the Championship only three points shy of defending series champion Simon Evans in third.
Forced to replace the dog gear box in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX with a standard synchro gearbox and miss the opening two super special stages of the rally on Friday night, the result is a fantastic outcome for the privateer team, run by Lowndes Motor Sport.
"Considering the setback on Friday night, to finish the weekend in fourth is a great result," said Lowndes. "We came here looking for Championship points and are now sitting just off third outright in the ARC, so we’re definitely in a good position going into the final two rounds of the series."
After taking things conservatively in Heat One as Lowndes got used to using a standard gear box, Lowndes was one of the fastest drivers in Heat Two recording the second fastest stage time on SS18 and setting top four stage times throughout the day.
"We really wanted to have a crack today, the roads are unbelievably quick and definitely suited the car said Lowndes. "Eden High was one of the best stages I’ve ever driven, they say Rally SA is a drivers rally and the roads this year definitely lived up to our expectations!"
"The rain definitely created some interesting conditions out there and some sections this afternoon were pretty slippery so we really had to work hard to keep up the pace."
Finishing fourth outright in both Heat One and Heat Two, Lowndes was the first Mitsubishi driver home continuing to prove he is the fastest Mitsubishi driver in the Championship.
"The Lancer was awesome out there today, it was perfectly balanced and responded to everything we threw at it, we’re finding more speed each rally so bring on the next round."
The championship now heads to Tasmania for round five, with the Tasmanian Tarmac Challenge, being held out of Burnie from October 4-5.
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