Well over a thousand spectators lined the Inveresk Super Special Stage as local hero, Steve Glenney, won the opening stage of Subaru Rally Tasmania this evening.
The Tasmanian resident local will hold a 0.9 of a second advantage going into the rally’s gravel stages tomorrow.
Glenney and co-driver, Andy Sarandis, took their improved Subaru WRX STI to the stage win.
The Tasmania local said that he is looking forward to the challenge around Launceston on fast and slippery roads.
“We’ve got some more weight out the car and the handling has improved as a result,” Glenney told RallySport Mag.
Tarmac experience helped Harry Bates muscle his way to second fastest time. Photo: Peter Whitten
Toyota driver, Harry Bates, completed the stage in second position, nine tenths adrift, with the Canberran no doubt keen to put on a good performance in his chase for a first Australian title.
Eli Evans was a further seven tenths back, third quickest in his Skoda. He admitted the wet roads may play into his hands. "Being first on the road may be an advantage if it rains," he said. With heavy showers throughout Friday, it's looking likely that the stages will still be damp come Saturday morning.Adrian Coppin and Lewis Bates rounded out the top five.
Molly Taylor flew the Subaru Rally Tasmania flag high, finishing sixth on the opening night Super Special. Photo: Peter Whitten
Shakedown took place on Friday morning at the Symmons Plains Raceway with crews tackling the short stage a number of times to get their set-ups right before getting into the stages tomorrow.
Saturday’s stages see crews tackle 10 stages totalling just under 130 competitive kilometres.
View the results from the opening stage of Rally Tasmania HERE.SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
