Hot and dry conditions will be just one of many tests facing Brendan Reeves when he tackles the Eureka Rally at Ballarat in Victoria this weekend.
Reeves will contest the season opening event in his Subaru WRX after a four month lay off and high temperatures are likely to play a big part in the results.
With temperatures expected to reach 30C on both days of the rally, tyre choice and hanging dust could play a vital role.
Reeves has had a good preparation leading in to the event with a number of tests on his home test track and this morning’s Shakedown at the Ballarat Autocross track was a good chance to get more seat time.
With regular co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino unavailable for this event (she is co-driving in America this weekend), Reeves has called on experienced co-driver Ben Searcy to call the notes this weekend.
“Ben has fitted in really well to the team,” Reeves commented. “This morning’s Shakedown was another chance for us to gel and he has grasped my pace note system really well.”
Brendan Reeves in action at his last event, Rally Australia in November.
Reeves believes the Eureka Rally, which is round 1 of both the Australian Rally Championship and the Victorian Rally Championship, will be a fast event on fairly narrow, hard-packed roads.
The first leg of rally stages on Saturday is 59 kilometres in length and with the hot temperatures forecast, tyre choice and preservation will be important.
As the top seeded crew in the Victorian Rally Championship (VRC) component of the event, Reeves’s road position should be an advantage. He will start behind the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) field so the roads should be swept of any loose gravel before he starts.
After the long off-season, Reeves is keen to get back behind the wheel in competition and is aiming for a solid finish this weekend.
The Eureka Rally kicks off tonight with a Ceremonial start in Ballarat with 214 kilometres of competitive states to be held on Saturday and Sunday.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
