One of the most exciting new cars to arrive on the scene this season was the G2-spec Peugeot 207 of Waylon Sims. After a roller coaster debut at the opening Round in Canberra, Sims has been hard at work making improvements that he’s hopeful will stand him in good stead when the International Rally of Queensland rolls around.
“It was an interesting weekend in Canberra. We had some really great moments where the car worked perfectly and then some pretty low moments when things were breaking,” Sims explained.
The young team's biggest concern were the Peugeot’s drive shafts, with three breaking over the course of the two-day event.
“We were using WRC-spec drive shafts but we think because of the extra load putting the power through only the front wheels, it was just too much for them to handle.
“So that’s been our biggest focus between Canberra and now, to upgrade the drive shafts so they can cope with the extra punishment,” Sims said.
“At the same time we also took the opportunity to upgrade to bigger front hubs and control arms. We think this will get on top of the problems for sure, but you just never know until you get to that next rally and test it out.”
With the International Rally of Queensland renowned as a stern test of machinery, Sims is confident that his team's decision to skip the Quit Forest Rally and concentrate their efforts on perfecting the car will pay dividends.
“We go from probably the second toughest event of the year in Canberra, to the toughest rally of the year in Queensland!” he laughed. “Basically we’ve jumped straight into the hardest rallies of the year, so if we can come away from Queensland happy with the car, we know it’s going to get easier from there.”
Sims, only new onto the rally scene, hasn’t competed on the Queensland stages before but having completed recce of the event over the past two seasons he’s confident he has a feel for the demanding roads.
“I’ve seen the roads and I like them. They look like a proper challenge and that’s something I’m really excited about.
“We have to be realistic though, we have a brand new car that’s done about 100 competitive kilometres. If we have a clean run in Queensland and add another couple of hundred kilometres then I think we’ll be in pretty good shape,” Sims added.
The team is planning on conducting a local test near their base in Tasmania, with Sims hoping the car will be ready in time to compete in a local rally.
“Everything takes time and you don’t want to rush this sort of stuff, so if we can get a test in before we have to leave for Queensland then I’ll be pretty happy with that.”
“I look at guys like Mick Ryan with the (Rallyschool.com.au) Mazda. They had a tough year last year learning the car and perfecting everything, and now we’re in the same boat. But look at them this year, they are absolutely on fire, and that’s where I want to get to too!”
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