A year to the day since announcing their retirement from the top level of competition, the lure of contesting the only Australian Championship round (currently running) that they have not won was too much for the pair to endure.
In 2010 at the inaugural running of Rally Victoria the potent “Tankformers” WRX suffered a rare mechanical problem that sent them off the road and stranded on Friday’s second stage. Starting again on the Saturday, in typical Evans style, the team went out and was fastest on all but one stage. In an 11th hour deal struck with team owner and event sponsor, Peter Evans from Tankformers in Pakenham, the team’s entry was hand delivered with only hours to spare.
Simon and Sue have vowed to come out with all guns blazing and prove that the year spent in the wilderness concentrating on their expanding concreting business hasn’t slowed the couple at all.
“To me it is unfinished business. I really want to win this rally!” Evans said.
The Evans team certainly won’t have it all their own way in seeking to win the event. With the series on the line, Ryan Smart from Queensland and local Victorian Justin Dowel are fighting out for the podium in the new “unrestricted” vehicles, so the scene is set for an epic battle.
While the limelight has been centered on the front few, Eli Evans, Simon’s younger brother, has been thrilling the crowds around Australia in the awesome Honda Civic Type R. Struggling only slightly with two-wheel drive, the team has set stunning times and regularly placed on the podium, knocking off the more fancied 4-wheel drive turbo machines.
The event is set to descend on Baw Baw Shire, starting off from Lardner Park.
Spectator details available on www.rallyvictoria.com.au
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