The first round of the Tasmanian Rally Series, the Sackett Services Nicholas Stages Rally, saw Lee Peterson and Daniel Willson in their Nissan Sunny GTi take first outright after having a great battle all day with Andrew Wylie in his WRX.
Lee Peterson on his way to victory in Tasmania.The last time a 2WD has won a round of the Tasmanian Rally Series was 21 years ago.
Third place was the next fastest 2WD of Darren Clark and Keegan Buckley in the Mazda RX-7, a replica that emulates the days of the Group B versions.
Craig Brookes, in the almost infamous orange Subaru WRX, hit the stages hard but was sidelined early with engine failure.
The 2000 ARC F2 Championship winning Nissan Sunny GTi was re-purchased by Peterson a few years ago and following recent engine developments proved to be an extremely fast package on the weekend, taking four stages wins and second place stage times on all other stages.
The event was the most 4WD dominated in recent years and also boasted six entries as father and son. Lee Peterson’s 18 year old son, Aidan Peterson, competing in a Daihatsu Charade, Andrew Wylie’s son Kurt competing in Subaru WRX, and Les Walkden and Mark Walkden in schedule R Pajeros.
“Our aim was the 2WD title this year so to come out and be fast enough to also knock off the 4WD cars and leading the series we are stoked!” an elated Peterson said at the end of the rally.
The Nicholas Stages Rally utilised a combination of previously used roads in the Nicholas Plantation, along with a number of new roads never used before. The stages encompassed a range of roads, from tight narrow pine forest tracks and lots of intersections catching out many competitors, to fast, flowing open roads that Tasmania is renowned for.
The Peterson Motorsport Team of Lee and Aidan are now looking forward to round two, the Hellyer Rally, run by the North West Car Club of Tasmania on the fast forest roads behind Stanley.
Tasmania’s youngest Tasmanian Rally Series class winner, Aidan was hampered by a suspension issue and a flat tyre, but is keen to make amends in the Charade. Even some of his times were up there with the midfield 4WDs, so his father had better watch his back.
2014 2WD Tasmanian Champion, Kade Barrett, is set to return to the series for this round, which will see a fantastic 2WD battle between Peterson’s Sunny, Barrett’s Firearrow and Clark’s RX-7, all three taking it up to the 4WDs.
Image courtesy of RB40 Media
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