Â
Rally Sardinia, round 2 of the WRC Academy series for drivers under 25, kicked off on Friday with eight stages of tough competition. The day's attrition rate was extremely high with only five of the 17 Academy competitors completing the day. Most were forced out with mechanical issues caused by a rock damaging the sump guards on the Ford Fiesta R2's that all competitors drive, but Reeves' car suffered a split oil cooler on a non-competitive road section and he, and co-driving sister Rhianon Smyth, were forced to retire from Day 1. They were in third place at the time.
Â
Despite their retirement from Day 1, Reeves and Smyth, and many of the other non-finishers of the first day, were able to re-start the rally under Superally rules. The rules meant that all those re-starting took a five minute penalty into the second day of competition.
Â
Day 2 consisted of six competitive stages and Reeves set the third fastest stage time on one stage, recorded three second-fastest stage times, and was fastest on two stages, including the final stage of the day. The two stage wins earned Reeves and Smyth a bonus point for each stage to add to the ten points earned for their fifth placing, taking their points haul for the event to 12. Together with the twelve points they earned on round 1, Rally Portugal, their Championship tally is now 24 points, just two points behind second outright, Argentinian Miguel Baldoni.
Â
Reeves and Smyth will now return to Australia before they head back to Europe for the next WRC Academy event, Rally Finland, which will be held from July 28 to 30. Fans of Brendan and Rhianon can watch the pair in action by joining the Brendan Reeves Supporters Club spectator tour to Rally Finland. Details can be found on Reeves' website at: http://www.brendanreeves.com.au/home/supporters-club/346-brendan-reeves-supporters-club-tour