Local Rally Power Motorsport pairing of James Rodda and Claire Ryan have claimed second in the 2012 South Australian Rally Championship in the final round of the championship, the Walky Stages Rally, held on October 27.
With Rodda sitting in second place, a mere five points behind Dwyer and Adams in the championship coming into the weekend, all was to play for, especially with 1.5x points on offer.
The event was made up of nine stages based around the Truro township, including three stages at night. Stages consisted of some very fast, slippery roads but included some very technical areas which kept crews on their toes.
The 23 kilometre SS1, Frankston Road, got underway over the famous Dutton Bridge, including fast council roads followed by several kilometres of rough, rocky, technical tracks. Just two kilometres in, the Rally Power Motorsport Subaru regained the misfire which had caused issues in the teams’ previous event at Coffs Harbour.
“We knew we would have to bring our A game so to speak to have a chance of finishing ahead of Declan (Dwyer) but unfortunately car issues reappeared, slowing us a little on long straights. Still, we managed to finish within 20 seconds of Dwyer on the first stage,” Rodda said.
SS2 and SS3 were two short fast stages where Rodda and Dwyer traded times within one second.
At the start line off SS4, the Rally Power Subaru lost all clutch pressure and had to start the stage under cranking power.
“We couldn’t believe it! There were no signs at all, just as we went to move forward in control there was no pedal pressure. With no time to look at fixing it, we had to start the stage on the starter motor. Lucky we have a 5-speed Pfitzner Performance Gearbox in the car so we used that to its full advantage, but it took a bit of getting used to as I normally use the clutch to shift gears,” added Rodda.
Once through SS4, the Subaru’s clutch remarkably regained normal operation.
Following SS5 and SS6 was a two hour service to fit lights and let the sun set before the three night stages, repeats of stages 1, 2 and 3. Rodda and Ryan managed to conserve second outright position winning SS7 by three seconds but finished a few seconds off the pace in SS8 and 9. At the end of the event, Dwyer and Adams took the win by 45 seconds over Rodda and Ryan, with West and West a further minute and a half behind, in their best performance yet.
With another solid second Outright placing, Rodda and Ryan secured second Outright in the 2012 SA Rally Championship.
“It has been a great battle all year. The competition is always close but we are all great friends at the end of the day. Declan (Dwyer) is a great driver, but also never hesitates to give helpful hints to fellow competitors. Declan and Craig (Adams) are well deserving of the SA Rally Championship title”
“I would like to thank both co-drivers, Claire Ryan and Jim Gleeson, for being a part of the Rally Power Team this year. Both their experience and knowledge have lifted our team's performance up another level this year.”
“I also would like to thank all of our service crew for their efforts in keeping the car running all year, as rallying is very much a team sport.”
“I would like to pass on a big thanks to all the rally organisers, officials and sponsors who put in a lot of time and effort to make the events and the championship run,” Rodda added.
Rally Power Motor Sport is proudly supported by MJP Automotive, Isaacs Auto Electrical, Meadows Vet Centre, SA Motorsport Tyres, Norwood Auto Service, Autosport, S&J Automotive, Graham West Workshop, Pfitzner Performance Gearboxes, Repco Mt Barker and Signs One.
For more information head to www.rallypower.com.au or www.facebook.com/rallypower
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