As the opening round of the Australian Rally Championship draws nearer, the Raymond Partners Rally Team is full steam ahead in their final preparations for the first round, the Quit Forest Rally. Held on the 5th and 6th of April in Western Australia, the rally uses the infamous ball-bearing gravel roads around the country township of Nannup.
Entering into a new season, the two-brother crew of Glen and Matt Raymond have progressed into an exciting new car for a full assault on the 2008 Australian Rally Championship season. Stepping up from their ten year old Subaru, the team has acquired a Toyota Corolla Group N Prototype car from Toyota Racing Development. Running all-wheel drive and a turbocharger, it is the same car that Toyota has used to win the last two Australian Rally Championships.
"The Toyota Corolla is such a great car to drive," commented an excited Glen Raymond. "It really is a far superior package in every way than what I have been running over the last two years. I can't wait to compete in the car, especially considering the event and roads over in the West makes it my favourite event."
Due to budget constraints on the privateer team, no further testing has been done since taking delivery of the car from TRD in March. Although suffering a lack of seat time, Raymond is not concerned about having no shakedown for either the car or driver. "The car is already a proven finisher, and it is so easy to drive, I won't mind having to learn it on the first stage!" laughed Raymond.
Along with a new car comes a new colour scheme for the team. The team was able to come up with a new striking look thanks to the technology and expertise provided by the team at Legible Signs in Warragul, Victoria. The new exterior will help the car stand out and portray a level of professionalism the team continually strives to achieve.
"We are really looking forward to the year ahead. To finally be able to run a competitive and reliable car is something we have been longing for," said navigator Matt Raymond. "To have a proven fast car that should be at the finish of every event will hopefully mean we will be in a good position at the end of the season."
Raymond Partners Rally Team also welcome Mammi Motors and Global Energy Services as major sponsors to their team, along with Raymond Partners, Bendigo Bank, JNJ Electrical Contractors, Quality Site Welding, Jens Discounts, Legible Signs, Springsure Paints, Vic Parts and Critical Dampening Service.
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