Molly Taylor has paid tribute to her 'best mate' who clinched the Australian Rally Championship title in South Australia last weekend. Harry Bates now joins Taylor as an ARC winner, the Subaru driver having taken the title back in 2016.
"My best mate. My brother from another mother. Congratulations. I know how hard you, John and the team have worked for this," Taylor said.
"It felt like not that long ago I was co-driving for you in your first ever rally. Now you’re the 2019 Australian Rally Champion! "So bloody proud. I’m certain this is just the beginning of what your career has in store." #champion #thechamp

Molly Taylor nursing a baby Harry Bates in the mid-1990s. Photo: via Molly Taylor

Friends and rival, Molly Taylor and Harry Bates. Photo: via Molly Taylor

Bates has a perfect record in 2019, having won every heat in the five rounds of the championship held so far. "I'm completely lost for words at the moment, I can't quite believe it," Bates said after his win.
"It was an incredible day and our team were here to see it and it was all very special."
The second Yaris of his younger brother, Lewis, finished the rally in third place, giving the team yet another double podium - its fourth for the season. "We're all really excited, the team has done a great job and the cars have performed faultlessly all year, so it's a well-deserved result for the team and for Harry and John to take out the championship," Lewis said. After the win in Adelaide, Harry has a total of 365 points gained over the first five rounds, 123 points clear of Lewis, who remains in second place on the driver's championship leaderboard with 242 points. The ARC heads into the final round of the season at Rally Australia on November 15-17 in NSW. The double podium finish in South Australia for the TGRA rally team has also further extended Toyota's lead in the manufacturer's championship race in the 2019 ARC season.

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