Top Australian rally driver, Brendan Reeves, is working hard to raise the funds to enter November's Rally Australia in an R5-spec Hyundai i20.
Reeves recently tested Marcus Walkem's new i20 in Tasmania. It will be driven by Walkem at Rally Tasmania this weekend, and by Hayden Paddon at the Eureka Rally.
"Rally Australia is my ultimate goal each year, but unfortunately I missed the opportunity in 2018," Reeves said.
"The plan is to drive the Walkems' car, and finally be able to contest the WRC2 class in a car that should be on the pace."
The cost to lease the car for Rally Australia is still unknown, as the team are yet to discover the running costs associated with the Hyundai in competitive conditions.
"The team still have to learn what they cost to run, what the longevity of the parts are. All that information will be new to them," he added.
Brendan Reeves tested the i20 R5 in Tasmania. Photo: Wishart Media
While Reeves is hoping to get Hyundai Australia involved in the Rally Australia project, it's likely that he'll also need a significant amount of other support to make the start line in Coffs Harbour.
The Victorian started the year contesting the Otago Rally in a Ford Fiesta R5, but further events in that car have been cancelled.
The car's owner, Brian Stokes, will now drive the car in selected New Zealand rallies, before handing the wheel to his son, Robbie.
"It's a shame that we won't get the chance in the Fiesta again this year, but I'd still love to do the Coromandel Rally again if the opportunity arose in something."
Closer to home, Reeves is still unsure if he'll enter the Eureka Rally in Ballarat in late August.
It would be a great opportunity to enter his Subaru WRX and get some valuable seat time, but it would also be a cost that could eat into his Rally Australia funds.
"My Subaru doesn't need a lot of work in order to get it ready for Eureka, but we'll just have to wait and see," he said.
"I'll be involved at Eureka in some form - either competing in the Subaru, or helping the Walkems and Hayden (Paddon) with the Hyundai."
Reeves is also planning to contest September's Yarra Valley Stages in Victoria, although he's unsure in what car.
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