Driving a Mitsubishi Galant VR4, the team finished just one second from claiming second outright. So close was the competition that six crews from second place to a tie for sixth, Were covered by no more than 12 seconds after completing six stages and over 60 competitive kilometres.
Remarkably, O’Brien and Jones achieved this result after competing all day with the “Terror”trip not working (not a pace note event), a leaking oil filer cap that leaked oil through the bonnet vents onto the windscreen and then caught fire at the end of stage 4 with no damage resulting from the fire, a flat tyre before stage 5 and then they lost 10 seconds or so on stage 6 when the car hit a post on a cattle grid and had to reverse back onto the road!
“This was an eventful day for the team but that’s rallying,” said Team manager, Phil O’Brien.
This was the team's first event in more than 12 months, using it as a shake down before the International Rally of Qld from July 30.
“Very rusty would describe my driving today but at the same time pleasantly surprised by the result,” said O’Brien after the event.
“The team have a bit of prep to do in the next four weeks but overall the car’s set up is very good. We look forward to doing battle with Alan Clunes and Ross Cox in P6 class at the IROQ.”
Taking out the Albion Motorsport Rallysprint was Rob Bishop in a Mitsubishi EVO by more than a minute, while past Queensland and Australian Rally Champion, Murray Coote was fifth outright in a very well prepared turbo Nissan Silvia. Craig Aggio, driving a Toyota World Rally Team replica Celica (2wd – 2 door), was fourth outright.
O’Brien Rallysport would like to thank its service crew and supporters GCA Smash Repairs and Beaurepairs Warwick, as well as the SQIT (Tafe) students who have assisted in the cars preparations.
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