The Rally Power Motorsport team of driver, James Rodda and co-driver, Jim Gleeson, have claimed second outright 4WD in the 2012 Rallyschool.com.au Australian Junior Challenge (RAJC) final based at Coffs Harbour over the weekend of October 16 and 17.
Twenty-two year old Rodda from South Australia paired with co-driver Gleeson from New South Wales for the Scouts Rally SA where they qualified for the RAJC in July, and continued the pairing for the RAJC Final.
“It was a great feeling to qualify for the junior final, after falling short last year, but receiving the Wildcard position,” Rodda said.
The Rally Power Team were looking for a good solid start to the Snake Racing Coffs Coast Rally, but knew it would be a tough fight with Berry Brother Motorsport and Dan Day Racing over the weekend.
From the first stage in Heat One Rodda and Gleeson showed good pace, despite the 1999 Subaru WRX STi developing a frustrating misfire which was costing them time. Despite the issues, Rodda displayed committed driving on the fast flowing stages in the afternoon to even set equal fourth fastest ARC time.
The battle with Berry/Long was close, with the pair separated by only a few seconds in the last group of stages. Rodda and Gleeson ended up fifth Outright 4WD in ARC and took the heat for 4WD RAJC after a timing discrepancy dropped the Berry Brothers Motorsport crew a minute behind.
“It was a very rewarding day with probably some of the best roads in the country. Ending Heat 1 with a personal best fifth ARC and taking the heat in the juniors is great, especially with the car issues we had.”
Heat 2 moved to roads used in the 2011 Rally Australia which both Rodda and Berry contested. With Berry needing to make up a minute he was on a charge. Unfortunately, car issues for Rodda and Gleeson continued with the car running on three cylinders at various times during the three morning stages. Adding to this, the crew gained a flat tyre mid-way through the third stage of the morning, Ulong 1.
“It sure made the task of staying in front very hard, but rallying wasn’t meant to be easy,” Rodda said.
Shipmans 2 would be an important one in the battle, with Rodda only a few seconds slower than Berry on the first run of the stage. Many crews encountered severe weather conditions during the stage with torrential rain and hail, with many seasoned competitors describing it as the worst conditions ever.
“The stage started out well, but became a huge challenge with rain, hail and even lightening in stage. We managed to pick our way through what we could see during the weather, but the windscreen fogged up, the demister was not keeping up and we drove the remainder of the stage blind, dropping a minute and a half to Berry.”
For the final two stages, the RAJC win was becoming out of reach and the focus turned to conserving the second outright RAJC placing.
“It was a tough but exciting rally! We are still proud of our efforts, placing second in the 4WD RAJC class but also sixth Outright 4WD ARC despite all the issues with the car.”
Rally Power Motorsport sends their congratulation to Dane Berry and Nathan Long for taking out the 2012 4WD Rallyschool.com.au Australian Junior Challenge after a faultless drive. Congratulations also go to Adam Casimiri and Sam Hill on taking out the 2WD Rallyschool.com.au Australian Junior Challenge. They would also like to thank all the ARC organisers, Rallyschool and Mick Ryan for giving up and coming drivers the opportunity to display their talents on a national level.
Rally Power Motor Sport is proudly supported by MJP Automotive, Isaacs Auto Electrical, Meadows Vet Centre, SA Motorsport Tyres, Autosport, S&J Automotive, 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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