The weather could play a huge role in determining the winner of this weekend’s third round of the Australian Rally Championship, the International Rally of Queensland.
With heavy rain forecast – up to 40mm on Sunday alone – the running order could be vital.
Simon Evans will be hoping to extend his Australian Rally Championship lead this weekend. (Photo: Peter Whitten)First car on the road for the ARC field will be the championship leader, Simon Evans, and while he’ll have the best of the conditions to begin with, he’ll be in a similar situation to everyone else on the second running of stages when road conditions worsen.
On out and out speed, you’d expect Evans and co-driver Ben Searcy to be un-backable favourites in their Subaru Impreza WRX STI, but the Rally of Queensland has traditionally been a battle of attrition.
There are several others who will also be fancying their chances, and after Evans’ day two hiccup in Canberra when he went off the road, it is sure to be a fiercely contested rally.
Fresh from his second place in Canberra, Nathan Quinn will actually have a better road position than Evans, running as the fifth car on the road in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship field. His Lancer Evo 9 has proven pace, and with Quinn in good form he’ll be a real winning chance.
Harry Bates has a freshly-rebuilt and repaired Toyota Corolla S2000 at his disposal after his light roll on his home event, while Tom Wilde will be chock full of confidence after a great start to the season in his Subaru.
Both Justin Dowel (Hyundai i20 Proto) and Mark Pedder (Peugeot 208 Maxi) will be hoping for much better luck than at the previous event, and both drivers have the speed and the cars to push for a place on the podium.
As does Molly Taylor and her factory Group N Subaru WRX STI. Driving the only Group N car in the field, Taylor will be counting on the car’s reliability and her own improved pace to help ensure another top five result.
The championship welcomes back former front-runner Ryan Smart, who returns in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 after some time out of the driver’s seat. Smart is perhaps the dark horse of the field, although his lowly road position may prove to be a disadvantage, particularly on day two when the weather is predicted to be more severe.
Adrian Coppin (Toyota) and Brad Markovic (Subaru) both had events they’d rather forget in Canberra, and will be hoping for better luck this weekend. Markovic, in particular, is surely due for a change of fortune.
There’s once again a strong Classic field with the Toyota Celicas of Neal Bates and Clay Badenoch heading the pack, followed by Mal Keough’s awesome Audi Quattro S1 replica, and a pair of Ford Escort RS1800s in the hands of Keith Fackrell and Thomas Dermody.
With only five rounds in this year’s ARC, the Rally of Queensland may well be the most important event on this year’s calendar. A strong result will see you well placed moving into the second half of the championship, but a DNF could well put paid to any championship hopes you had.
Throw in the unpredictable weather, and it’s going to be an intriguing event.
- Peter Whitten
Follow the Rally of Queensland results HERE.
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