The Swisse Renault Sport Rally Team crew of driver Scott Pedder and co-driver Dale Moscatt have continued their strong form in the 2013 East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship, registering their third successive second placing at round three, the 2013 Scouts Rally SA held around the picturesque Barossa Valley last weekend.
Pedder and Moscatt now sit just 29-points behind Eli Evans and Glen Weston (Honda) in the fight for the 2013 East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship title.
The sister Renault Clio R3 of Tom Wilde and Bill Hayes are currently third in the championship standings following another fine fourth outright at Scouts Rally SA and as a result of both crew’s combined performances, Renault Australia currently lead the 2013 Australian Manufacturers Rally Championship over the well-funded Honda team.
Team Driver and Principal, Scott Pedder, is pleased with the performances over the weekend, especially considering that it was this event in 2010 where Pedder hit a tree at 160kph which temporarily ended his driving career.
“Scouts Rally SA is a fantastic event and yes, it was very satisfying to win the Cromer stage where three years ago we had a 'big one'. It was interesting to note that every brand new stage we won, so no doubt the others benefitted from past knowledge of the stages which is actually ironic considering I am the most experienced driver in the outright field," Pedder said.
"We are doing very well considering our relative development time but these excuses are now wearing thin and we have to find ways to develop the car and win. We are still very much in the hunt but we cannot continue to just keep sliding back. The next five weeks will certainly be busy ones,” he added.
Attention now turns to round four of the championship with the traditional International Rally of Queensland held in and around the magnificent Sunshine Coast. Pedder is confident that Queensland will be a turning point for the championship.
“The next two events starting with Queensland are longer endurance events and Queensland in particular is rough in many places. Speed is important but with points on offer for both days plus the overall event it is important to make sure your manage risk. When you are in the heat of the battle this is easier said than done so I am hoping that my experience can shine through here.”
Ironically for Pedder, 12 points of his 29-point deficit in the championship are a result of the Pedders Power Stage - a new initiative to the 2013 ECB ARC introduced primarily for television which shows the top five qualifiers over a short special stage.
“Yeah, whoever dreamt up the power stage is a fool,” joked Pedder, who was the CEO of the ARC from 2010 to 2012 and continues as a director this year.
“In all seriousness, though, the Pedders Power Stage and in fact all of the ECB ARC, is very strong and it certainly is a fantastic championship to compete in. When you get to drive roads and do events like Scouts Rally SA, you realise why you love the sport. As a direct result of the changes we had to make over the past few years the championship has a bright future ahead and it certainly is great to be part of it. For now though…bring on Queensland!” Pedder said.
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