After a string of good results in 2006, young Victorian driver, Brenton Kaitler, is stepping up to a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 for the 2007 rally season.
Kaitler completed his first full season this year, winning the F16 category at the Rally of Melbourne and the Subaru Safari in Tasmania, as well as winning the Victorian P2 Championship and finishing third outright in the Mt Porepunkah Rallysprint – all at the wheel of his potent Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg.
The Mirage has now been sold to young NSW driver Molly Taylor, and the Kaitler Motorsport Engineering team are now looking forward to moving into a four-wheel drive car for next season.
With Ben Searcy and Jenna Kelley sharing the co-driving duties, Kaitler will contest all rounds of the Australian Rally Championship (except Western Australia), as well as all rounds of the Victorian Rally Championship.
The 1999 Lancer Evo 6 was recently imported from Japan as a road car, and Brenton’s father, Steve Kaitler, is currently preparing the car for the coming season. Modifications will include DMS suspension and Ralliart competition LSDs.
Despite being only in the early stages of his career, Kaitler aims to finish in the top 10 in the ARC, and in the top three in the Victorian Championship – a target that should be within reach, based on his 2006 results.
Being a self-funded team, Kaitler says one of the biggest issues facing his team was the difficulty in moving up to a four-wheel drive, turbocharged car.
“You should be able to purchase an Evo or WRX and run it with a standard engine and be competitive - no turbo restrictors, no trick fuel, no trick ECU's,” Kaitler says.
“You should be encouraged to spend money wisely on tyres and suspension and let the best driver win!
“You also need noise,” he adds. “Spectators love it. An Evo or WRX with no restrictor would rev and sound much better!”
The team plan to give the 2007 their best shot, and are confident of some good results.
For more information on the team, check out Kaitler's website:
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