Over the next two days more than 50 rally teams will descend on the coastal town of Busselton, south-east of Perth, which is to be the home of the Australian Rally Championship for the next week.
Privateer teams will lead the charge against the two Toyota S2000 cars of Simon Evans and Neal Bates, all aiming to stand on the podium at the completion of the two heat rally.
“We’re car two on the road this year so it will be a big challenge, but I’m excited about getting the experience of running up at the front of the field,” Evans Motorsport’s Eli Evans said.
“Spencer (Lowndes) and Guesty (Michael Guest) will be tough to beat and if you can get past them I think you should be pretty close to a podium finish, but there is a strong field of talented drivers and it’s not going to be easy for anyone to get on the podium.”
Lowndes, who has not competed in WA since 2003, is looking forward to getting back out on the unique ball bearing roads of the Nannup forests and is excited about getting back in the car.
“It’s been a long off season, and a long time between rounds for me at the West Australian event, so I can’t wait to get out on the roads,” said Lowndes.
“WA really lends itself to drivers who are willing to attack, and that is exactly what I plan on doing. The competition is going to be tough and hopefully I can finish up on the podium,” he added.
Run over three days, the QUIT Forest Rally consists of two heats, made of individual stages. Points are allocated, determined by placings in each heat, with the rally winner the team that score the most points across the two heats.
The foreshore of Busselton will kick start the QUIT Forest Rally with the Busselton Toyota Super Special Stage on Friday night, before the rally heads out to the forests surrounding Nannup for the gravel stages on Saturday and Sunday.
For all information about the QUIT Forest Rally, including spectator timetables and maps please visit the dedicated event page on www.rally.com.au
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