23-year old James Rodda will enter next week’s Scouts Rally SA not only looking to uphold local honours, but also to wave the flag for Subaru as the sole entrant up against a trio of Mitsubishi’s.
“We’re a bit out numbered,” joked Rodda. “We’ve got three fast Evo’s and we’re the one and only WRX, so I’ve got a bit of work to do. But it’s a great event and I’m always keen to put on a good show for our local supporters and sponsors.”
Rodda, who has regularly competed on P-plates at previous Rally SA’s, said that his teams experience in running his Subaru Impreza always paid off when it came to their home rally.
“We’ve run that car for close to six years now, so we know what it’s capable of, and that always helps in case you do hit any problems during the event. I’m going to have my work cut out though, I’ve got those three Evo drivers all looking to gun me down!”
The first Mitsubishi Rodda will have to contend with is interstate interloper Tristan Kent who marks his return to Scouts Rally SA having contested the event in 2011.
“That year I managed to finish fourth outright behind Eli Evans when he ran the Honda Civic,” said Kent. “It was a really fun event to drive and since then I’ve always wanted to go back and have another go, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Kent, who is based in Canberra, runs an ex-Mark Pedder Evo II, and despite the vintage says that the car is still more than capable.
“The body is a bit rough around the edges these days but the mechanicals are all the best bits possible. My aim for the weekend is to go out and have fun but for sure I am looking to win the 4WD’s as well and if we go well in South Australia we might look to do Rally Australia later in the year too.”
Adelaide local Henry Nott makes his return to the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship after debuting his 2WD Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI at the season ending Rally Victoria last year. This time out Nott has re-connected the centre differential to ensure he has all four wheels powering him forwards.
“I ran the Evo for the first time as a 4WD at the last SA State Round in Broken Hill and managed to win it, so I’m really excited to get it back on the roads around the Adelaide hills next weekend,” Nott said.
“The stages are right on my doorstep, so that’s motivation enough to want to compete and do well, but I also have the added motivation of trying to beat my brothers fourth outright at the event in 2012!”
Nott believes that despite the seeding the last Mitsubishi of Tim Ramages will be hard to beat. “Tim is super fast and he’ll be right up there challenging us all. He’s got a quick car, it’s an ex-Ed Ordynski factory car I believe, so you know it’s well sorted.”
Scouts Rally SA gets underway next Friday 1st August with the ARMOR ALL Power Stage held in the Mount Crawford Forests, before the opening four competitive stages take drivers on a loop in the forests around the Mount Pleasant Showground service area.
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