The S2000 class will be one full of young talent when Rally Australia kicks off in just over a week’s time.
Wayne Morton, Lewis Bates and Troy Dowel will all be making their Coffs Harbour debuts, and their stage times will be closely followed.
21 year-old Morton was only 16 when he drove in his first rally (International Rally of Queensland), and since then has won three Queensland Junior Rally Championships.
The beginning of 2017 commenced the skyward push of his career.
Paired with 19 year-old, Megan Benson, he’s had two outright wins, and is currently leading the Queensland Rally Championship.
His Toyota Corolla S2000 was imported from South Africa in late 2016, and has delivered him fine results since then.
Like his S2000 driving counterparts, Morton's family has had a long rallying history. His father, Warren, and grandfather, Peter, have all been longtime competitors.
Lewis Bates will also be debuting at Rally Australia, no doubt trying to follow in the footsteps of father, Neal, and brother, Harry.
Lewis Bates will drive the Toyota Corolla S2000 which his brother, Harry, has campaigned for the past two seasons. Photo: Jack Martin
Also piloting a Corolla S2000, Bates will be keen to continue the strong speed that the car has shown in the hands of his brother over the past two years.
Having the experienced Dale Moscatt alongside will no doubt help him in his quest of a strong result come Sunday afternoon.
Troy Dowel, the youngest of the three, will be making his rally debut after spending plenty of seat time in rallycross.
Dowel has spent time in 2017 in the RX Academy in Finland, working his craft alongside the best young rallycross talents of Europe.
His first full rally will be a huge test, as he continues to adapt to pace notes and the changing conditions which a rally can bring from stage to stage.
Troy Dowel will drive the VW S2000 which he has campaigned in the Australian Rallycross Championship.
After extensive training with Brendan Reeves, Dowel is keen for the rally, and the challenge it brings.
Australian rally fans have recently been talking about the Bates and Taylor ‘second-generation battle,’ now we might be seeing another battle of similar proportions.
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