A fourth place finish in Heat Two of the National Capital Rally, in Canberra, will likely be sufficient to give Subaru do Motorsport driver Molly Taylor outright third in the Australian Rally Drivers Championship standings.
A gearbox change to the team’s Group N Production Class All-Wheel Drive WRX STI after yesterday’s Heat One ensured a smooth start to Sunday, with temperatures initially hovering on zero and fog threatening to roll in over the Tidbinbilla forest stages.
But with skies clearing, the Subaru duo of Taylor and co-driver Bill Hayes once more showed their expertise over the bigger distances.
It was again on the day’s equal longest haul, the 30.18 kilometre SS11 Cottage 5 Ways I, that the pair proved their mettle, seizing third on stage.
They had jumped two places to fourth on the preceding stage when an off into a ditch by a charging Simon Evans presented the opportunity for Taylor to move up the leader board.
The repeat trio of stages after morning service allowed Taylor and Hayes to consolidate their position – they even managed to place third overall after SS12.
Molly said: “We had no real problems this morning, following the gearbox change.
“But conditions were a bit changeable on the first two stages, which were super technical.
“The third stage was probably the longest we do all year, with some very narrow areas that are hardest to read.
“Mechanically, the car was all sorted, so we’re pleased to report it was fairly smooth sailing.”
After Heat Two, Taylor provisionally lies third in the Drivers rankings, which are to be confirmed by the Australian Rally Championship.
Round Three of the Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship 2016 is the International Rally of Queensland, from June 17-19.
HEAT TWO PLACINGS
1. Reeves/Gelsomino, Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C, 01:15:54.1
2. Quinn/Calder, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, 01:17:00.6, +01:06.5
3. Bates/McCarthy, Toyota Corolla S2000, 01:17:38.3, +01:44.2
4. Taylor/Hayes, Subaru WRX STI, 01:17:55.3, +02:01.2
5. Wilde/Hill, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, 01:17:55.9, +02:01.8
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