Young Victorian rally driver Glen Raymond, with brother Matt co-driving, has set the world rally scene alight in Australia’s round of the World Rally Championship, Repco Rally Australia. Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 for the first time, the team was disappointed to just fall short of the Pirelli Star Driver Competition but ecstatic that Raymond was able to set times to rank him amongst the World’s best drivers.
The Pirelli Star Driver competition was a fight between five of the Asia Pacific’s fastest under 27 year old drivers all vying to win a fully sponsored drive in six rounds of World Rally Championship in 2010. Held over the first 60 kilometres of the 350km event, the winner was based on both speed and media skills. All competitors were running factory based Group N rally cars, which take part in the Production World Rally Championship (PWRC). The PWRC is an international formula that is used as a direct feeder series for the outright World Championship teams.
As the team’s Toyota Corolla was ineligible for World level events, the team was required to lease a car Glen had never driven for the event. However, with the Lancer developing mechanical problems in testing, it left Raymond a massive task for the event.
Despite a slow start and a flat tyre, over the remaining stages Raymond was consistently in the top three of the Production World Rally Championship (PWRC). The highlight of their short 60km stint was when the team set a top ten World Rally Championship time that included a fastest outright PWRC time.
“We entered the event purely to try and win the Pirelli Star, in which we came a close second. Obviously I was disappointed, but to jump in a car I’ve never driven before and set top ten WRC and outright PWRC times has given us loads of confidence to carry forward into next year's Australian Rally Championship,†Glen Raymond said.
Raymond now looks towards the 2010 Australian Rally Championship, however not in the team's Toyota Corolla which is currently for sale.
“I really want to take the next step and be a true contender for next year's championship. However, we are desperately searching for a major sponsor so we can buy a car and make next year happen.â€
The team would like to thank its supporters who make it possible to compete at international level: Raymond Partners Accountants, JNJ Electrical Contractors, Bendigo Bank, Mammi Motors, Pirelli Tyres, Blackwell Bodyworks, Quality Site Welding, Melbourne Performance Centre, ERG Racewear, Warragul Signs, Moe Engines, Jen's Dinkum Discounts and VicParts.
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