After SS4 Ryan and Rebecca were in a comfortable second position until they dropped more than two minutes with a flat tyre. This didn’t upset Ryan’s pace and the Smarts’ fought back with five second fastest stage times to finish Day 1 in third position and only 21.8 secs behind Justin Dowel and Matt Lee.
“We were pretty happy with our pace today, and looking forward to the challenge of working our way back up to the pointy end of the field after our flat tyre.” Ryan said on Saturday.
Sunday morning started solidly with the brother and sister team setting another two second fastest stage times, positioning themselves in second position behind reigning champions Simon and Sue Evans.
Special Stage 13 proved to be unlucky for Ryan and Bec after running slightly wide on a fast crest and hitting the bank on the outside of the corner. The rear suspension was terminally damaged and therefore unable to continue.
“This event has taught us that the slightest mistake can turn out disastrous with the pace we have been setting this year.” Ryan said after the rally “Congratulations to Simon and Sue for taking out the Championship and hopefully next year we will get our turn on the top of the podium.”
It was only four years ago that Ryan and Rebecca competed in their first ever rally in the trusty Datsun 180B, and in that time they have won the 2008 Queensland Rally Championship, the 2009 Australian Privateer’s Cup and are the amongst the top 5 Australian Rally Championship teams this year. 2011 is going to be an exciting year for Ryan and Rebecca Smart.
Ryan and Rebecca’s next event is Rally Victoria, in Warragul on 13th-14th November.
To support Ryan and Rebecca become a fan at www.facebook.com/smartmotorsport, or follow them on Twitter @smartmotorsport.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
