Maximum Motorsport drivers Tom Wilde and Brad Markovic will need stamina and resilience to stir things up at the International Rally of Queensland this weekend.

Brad Markovic is hoping for a better run at Rally Queensland. (Photo: Matt Whitten)The event is run on the Sunshine Coast and is round three of the 2016 Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship (ARC).

Highly regarded as one of the most challenging rounds on the calendar, it’s also an endurance event for championship points, which means competitors need to finish both heats to claim points.

Wilde, who is the highest placed WA driver on the championship leaderboard and fourth overall, said he’s hoping to have an incident-free run in his Subaru WRX STI, much like he did at the National Capital Rally in Canberra recently.

The 28 year old was able to avoid much of the drama that plagued other competitors and came away with the equal highest amount of points of the registered ARC drivers.

“If the National Capital Rally had have been an endurance round as well, we would have finished third and claimed the highest points overall for the round,” he said.

Wilde has competed at IROQ three times before and said: “This is a tricky event to get your head around but I know the roads quite well now.”

“They are very fast and reward commitment,” he said.

Wilde will again be joined by Sydney’s Sam Hill after their successful first pairing in Canberra.

Maximum Motorsport team mate Markovic will have a new co-driver for IROQ while Glenn Macneall competes in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship section of the event with India’s Gaurav Gill.

“Scott Beckwith is going to step in for this round,” Markovic said. “He’s very experienced in both Australia and overseas and I’m looking forward to competing with him.

For Markovic, IROQ represents the chance to make amends for a tough start to the 2016 ARC season.

In round one, the Quit Forest Rally, his Subaru WRX STI was destroyed in a freak fire and, in round two, his newly-build WRX STI hatch suffered suspension problems.

“Maximum Motorsport has been working on the new car and trying to get it as close to the specifications of the previous one,” Markovic said.

“We’ve had an amazing amount of support all year and we’re looking forward to getting back out there and claiming some points in Queensland.”

IROQ kicks off on Friday and finishes on Sunday afternoon.

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF RALLYSPORT MAGAZINE FOR FREE - CLICK HERE NOW!

SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY

RallySport Magazine Subscription
Select Subscription Level
Select Subscription Length
Recurring Subscription Cost
A subscription to RallySport Magazine give you access to all our rally content from Australia, New Zealand and around the world – with news, features and experiences nobody can match. Our team are dedicated to providing an unrivalled experience which shares, supports and promotes the sport of rallying.
Already have an account?

By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.

We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires. If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period. You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.

Account Details
Payment Information

By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.

We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires. If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period. You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.

Show Your Support

Author

Title