Few ever get the chance to test their skill against the world’s best. Rallying delivers the opportunity, even for novices to compete with the fastest rally drivers in the world at Kennards Hire Rally Australia in November.
The chance to compete, knowing the best are just up the road in front of you, is compelling. Having competed against the best of their day is a sobering experience!
When you compete, it’s easy to say you are doing your best. Every rally has stage winners and often, you do not win stages.
Testing yourself against the best is important, especially if your goal is to win a championship. Equally, competing with the stars is fun and can expose you and your supporters to many different opportunities.
Harry Bates is no exception. Competing for the first time in an AP4 car at Kennards Hire Rally Australia will provide Harry and his team valuable data on the AP4’s speed. A bonus is that he will be exposed to the Toyota WRC team.
Harry has the talent to be a WRC star, let’s make no mistake. Showing his skill to the rally world will be important in the development of his career.
The battle for the Australian Rally Championship will go down to the wire at Kennards Hire Rally Australia.
Local crowd favourite, Nathan Quinn, must start as favourite to take the Rally Australia ARC round for one key reason – he knows the area so well, especially if conditions change. His DNF in Canberra has not done him any favours, so car reliability is key for him.
Molly Taylor won’t let him get away though, and she is fast enough to match Quinn. Molly leads the ARC Drivers championship by 30 points. A win, no less, will be needed to secure the championship.
100 points is on offer at Kennards Hire Rally Australia – so trying to work out all the variations is impossible! The reward for a consisted three-day rally will be a championship for one lucky team.
Harry Bates is not out of contention, even though the new Toyota Yaris AP4 engine suffered a cracked head at the last round in South Australia.
Harry could be the dark horse in the new AP4 Yaris, despite being untested on the fast and flowing Coffs roads.
Expect to see Bates in the top three if not challenging for the lead of the rally. He has a point to prove and the Toyota driver will be on the limit to win.
Eli Evans in the AP4 Mini may upset the championship front runners too. 132 points puts him out of contention for the championship trophy, but competition seat time will be a valuable commodity for his 2018 ARC challenge. He will take on the Bates challenge head on.
What does this all mean for the spectator? Whilst a four-way fight is played out in the WRC event for the WRC world drivers’ championship, expect plenty of action and drama in the ARC field.
Combined with some expected hard chargers from New Zealand, the national event is shaping up as a fight worth getting the camp chair out for at Kennards Hire Rally Australia spectator points.
Are you taking a mate? Who are you going to talk to if you don’t take a mate? Rallying is about mates and the rally has a Take a Mate offer.
If your mate is used to not paying, then this offer is for you! Hurry as the deal ends October 30th.
See you at the best rally spectating this year!
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.
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 Created!
Welcome to RallySport Magazine VIP Membership.
Get ready for your rally news experience to completely transform.
Start browsing news, exclusive VIP content or check out your account.
