Brendan Reeves and Rhianon Gelsomino (Mazda 2) have won the Quit Forest Rally, the second round of the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship (ARC), which was held in the towns of Busselton and Nannup, Western Australia this weekend.
After finishing second to Scott Pedder and Dale Moscatt (Renault Clio R3) in Heat One of the event, Reeves/Gelsomino took the lead in Heat Two following mechanical dramas, which caused Pedder to miss a stage (SS16) late in the day on Sunday.
“We’re pretty excited to win the event, especially with all the small problems we’ve had over the weekend but that’s rallying, you just keep pushing on,” Reeves said.
It is the first time the brother and sister combination have won the event and the win has further extended their lead in the 2014 ARC.
“It feels great to win the Quit Forest Rally, it’s probably the best-run event of the year and we’ve had a great time. The roads are a big challenge, I mean there are about five different surface changes in one stage alone but Rhianon and I had a great time,” he continued.
“To get nearly maximum points and to come out on top is a great feeling and we’ve extended our lead in the Championship again which is really great as well,” Reeves said.
“The next round is in Queensland in two months, so that’s a good break. This event has been pretty rough on the car as well so it will get quite a big overhaul, both the engine and gearbox will be out and checked and we’ll try and work on some set up things as well that we learnt from this weekend and just keep pushing the pace,” Reeves said.
Despite their issues Pedder/Moscatt were able to finish Heat Two in sixth position and score enough points to keep them in the race for a podium finish. In the end the bonus point for winning the most stages during the event was the difference with Pedder/Moscatt finishing second outright.
“To win 17 out of 19 stages over the weekend and to not be on the top step of the podium is a bit disheartening but the Championship is far from over,” Pedder said.
“It’s good to bag some points, these are the sort of things that hopefully by the end of the year you look back on and say ‘it’s good we just kept on going’ and obviously it’s bad luck but hopefully the luck turns for us next event,” Pedder said.
Citreon teammates Tony Sullens/Julia Barkley (Citroen DS3 R3T) and Adrian Coppin/Tim Batten (Citroen DS3 R3T) were locked in a tight battle across the weekend. After the two Heats they were locked on equal points but it was Coppin/Batten (Citroen DS3 R3T) who finished third outright due to an overall faster time for the event with Sullens/Barkley in fourth.
“It was all a bit confusing at the end of the day with Scotty (Pedder) coming back into the event, but it’s a great event for Citroen to get another podium and Tony (Sullens) finished strongly today as well beating us in the Heat, so it’s a good step forward for the team,” Coppin said.
Dylan King and Lee Tierney (Subaru Impreza WRX) took back-to-back victories in the West Australian Rally Championship, winning both Heat One and Heat Two. Doug Tostevin/Tammy Adams (Subaru Impreza WRX) finished the event in second with John O’Dowd/Ben Searcy (Subaru Impreza WRX) third.
The above competitors were also the leading crews in the East Coast Bullbars 4WD National Rally Series.
The Side-by-Side (all terrain) competition was won by Cody Crocker/Greg Foletta (Polaris RZR 1000 XP) ahead of Michael Guest/David Green (CanAm Maverick 1000 X RS) and Nathan/Les Chivers (CanAm Maverick 1000 X RS).
Ben Grabham (KTM EXC) led the Moto field from the opening stage of the event and took victory in the Quit Forest Rally Moto. Graeme McKinley (KTM 505 SX) was second and Nathan Grech (CanAm Renegade XXC) was third.
Rounding out the main categories at the event Jason and Paul Lowther (Toyota Corolla) won the WA Clubman Cup Series and Graeme Miles/Kathy Miles (Holden Commodore) won the Classic Rally Challenge.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
