Kaitler Motorsport Engineering driver Brenton Kaitler and co-driver John Allen conducted a successful test at last weekend’s Akademos Rally, the only round of the Victorian Rally Championship which is pacenoted.
After a stunning opening two stages which saw Kaitler third fastest in Stage 1 and second fastest in Stage 2, the crew had a small spin which resulted in them being stuck off the side of the road and unable to recover their car. Once towed out, the damage was fairly minor, just a bent rear quarter panel.
Despite not finishing, the duo were very upbeat about their weekend. “This weekend was all about improving our pace,” said Kaitler. “Being within three seconds from winning Stage 2 on roads which are very similar to those of the upcoming NGK Rally of Melbourne is an awesome place to be,” Kaitler added.
The tricky wet and dry roads, which saw snow on Saturday’s recce, proved to be ideally suited to both the DMS suspension and Yokohama tyres used on the car. The team ultimately succumbed to a deflating rear tyre in Stage 1, however this was their first flat tyre since the Bathurst round in 2005. “ Our pace has really come from the suspension and tyre development, in addition to improved pacenoting,” Kaitler said.
Team Manager Steven Kaitler continued development of the team’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 in the lead-up to the Akademos, which resulted in some major power improvements. The turbo now operates a lot more efficiently following some optimisation work; the net result is less turbocharger lag out of corners in addition to greater power at high engine speeds.
In the lead-up to next month’s NGK Rally of Melbourne – the finale to this year’s NEC Australian Rally Championship – KME Rallysport will be ensuring the car is prepared to its usual high standards in readiness for a strong result.
The NGK Rally of Melbourne runs from November 9-11. For further information about the event go to rallyofmelbourne.com.au or for further information about KME RS see rallyesport.com.au.
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