The Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship will have a new series leader heading into the final round at Rally Australia, after a drama packed weekend at Lightforce Rally SA.

Brendan Reeves and sister Rhianon Gelsomino completed their perfect weekend, taking first outright in heat two today.

 

Brendan Reeves led from start to finish to claim his second ARC outright win this year.

Although not registered for championship points , Reeves won five of the day's six stages to finish the day ahead of Simon Evans, who will head to the Coffs Coast with a slender championship lead.

Despite troubles throughout Saturday, Evans had a relatively stress-free run through today’s stages, taking maximum points from heat two.

He leads Harry Bates and Molly Taylor, who have both led the championship at stages over the weekend. They now sit equal on points heading into the final round.

Bates’ team brilliantly repaired his Toyota overnight, and with a consistent day, took a solid haul of points, and third overall for heat two.

Molly Taylor Rally SAA clean run saw Molly Taylor finish second for the event.

Subaru do Motorsport’s Molly Taylor, who was leading the championship after heat one, kept clear of issues all weekend to be the most consistent ARC point-scorer.

Eddie Maguire rounded out the top five for the heat, continuing to learn the craft of driving on gravel, instead of tarmac.

Chris Higgs and stand in co-driver Steve Glenney finished the day sixth, followed by leading South Australian driver, James Rodda in seventh.

Brad Markovic hit a tree early on in the piece, but managed to complete the afternoon in his repaired Subaru. Arron Windus however, could not rejoin. He failed to finish the heat after a slow roll in the morning’s second stage.

The championship now heads to Australia’s World Rally Championship event, Kennard’s Hire Rally Australia, where the thrilling title battle will conclude.

Simon Evans Rally SASimon Evans stayed clear of native fauna on day 2 and now leads the Championship.

HEAT TWO PLACINGS (provisional)

1. Reeves/Gelsomino, Subaru Impreza WRX, 51:34.9
2. Evans/Searcy, Subaru Impreza WRX, 52:06.9, +00:32
3. Bates/McCarthy, Toyota Corolla S2000, 53:34.2, +01:59.3
4. Taylor/Hayes, Subaru WRX STI, 58:36.5, 54:08.9, +02:32.0
5. Maguire/Potter, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, 54:23.3, +02:48.4

Report: Luke Whitten

Photos: Peter Whitten

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