PBR Team prepare for SA rally

The Paul Batten Racing Team of Paul Batten and Craig Jones are preparing for the fast flowing roads Toyota Kluger Rally SA will deliver.

"Though both in separate cars at the time, both Paul and myself have competed in Rally SA before. Paul showed good speed in the RS challenge at this event, and we hope that the experience in the new car from Rally of Canberra will allow us to continue our good run in 2007" said co-driver Craig Jones.

The students and teachers at Kangan Batman Tafe have used the time to prepare the 2006 WRX STI for competition at Rally SA. With the car spending some time at AVO Turbo to refine the tune on the LinkECU Engine management computer.

"It's a relentless quest to try and push more air through that tiny restrictor but we feel we have the right tune, as Paul and Craig proved at Rally of Canberra. Because the team is entirely self funded, we can't afford to put unwanted stress on engines”, commented Steve Coates of AVO Turbo.

“We nominated events this year based on cost, but as it happens I am really happy with the events we are doing and I am really looking forward to SA. The roads are fast and flowing and great fun to drive. It is a real drivers rally, and not so hard on the cars”,  Paul Batten added.

The team is in a good position after scoring maximum points in the Rally Challenge category at Canberra. "It's a long season and really, because teams have nominated different rounds, it's hard to tell who is in contention with the championship until the last rally. We will do what we have done at every event in 2007, not look at times, or what other competitors are up to, but race our own event, improve as we go along, and hopefully we will be in a good position at the finish”, said Jones.  

Paul and Craig were scheduled to compete in the Rallydrive Hyundai Excel Series at Round four of the Victorian Rally Championship, but the event was postponed with the flooding in East Gippsland.

The team would not be able to complete without their valued partners: Greg Moulden and the Students from Kangan Batman Tafe for their event preparation and service. Along with Stuckey Tyre Service, Dunlop Motorsport, AVO Turbo, Hyon Auto Parts and Smash Repairs, MM Sport, DMS Shock Absorbers, Link engine management systems, SBARU Parts, HubblePhotografix.com.au, www.Rallydrive.com.au and Japanese Wholesale Spares.

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