Victoria’s Arron Windus has made a successful return to rallying, winning the Western Victoria Crane Trucks Yarra Valley Stages, Round 5 of the Victorian Rally Championship. Driving a borrowed Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Windus took a convincing win in his first rally of 2018, after several rallycross appearances this year. "We had a great event. The Subaru was super strong all day, and a huge thanks to the entire team and to Mick Harding for lending me the keys to his baby," Windus said. "The roads were in magic condition and for me it was very special to be able to drive the roads I had spectated on when I was younger watching my dad. "The biggest highlight for me was breaking the stage record up Mt Slide. "Having heard the we had gone faster than the likes of Possum Bourne and Neal Bates up the hill was an incredible feeling. Although the technology of today has improved since then, I'll take it!" he added. Second overall was Franco Luicci in his Mitsubishi Evo 6, over two minutes behind Windus, and third was Matt Lee in a Subaru Impreza WRX, a further minute behind. Notable retirements included Darren Windus (Subaru) and Justin Dowel (VW Polo).

As expected, Brendan Reeves was the first 2WD car home in a borrowed Commodore. Photo: John Doutch

In the two-wheel-drive field, multiple ARC round winner, Brendan Reeves, took first place honours in a borrowed V8 Commodore, just over a minute clear of Tony Moore's Ford Focus, followed by Carl Stewart in a Datsun 1600. 2WD front runner Luke Sytema retired his Escort after just the second of 12 stages. Overall, Victorian Club Rally Series honoors went to Aiden Peart in a Datsun 260Z, followed by Cody Richards in a Ford Escort, while Colin Sichlau in a Mitsubishi Lancer stood on the final step of the podium. The event had a capacity field of 80 cars, and used many of the roads made famous by the former Rally of Melbourne. Full results from the Yarra Valley Stages can be found HERE.

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