The debut season for Queensland’s new Pocket Rocket Rally Series is proving these little front-wheel drive cars can be both fun and competitive.

At the Rallying of Classics event at Willowbank, the Honda Civic of Craig and Linda Newell took out the class award for PRC cars up to 2L.  The couple finished more than 30 seconds ahead of their nearest rival in class.

More impressive, however, was the eighth outright result from a competitive field of 37 entries, finishing just 5 seconds shy of some of the 4 wheel drive cars in outright standings.

“It’s taken us most of the year to get the balance of the car sorted, but it performed faultlessly today,” said driver, Craig Newell.  However the day wasn’t entirely without challenges, with rain playing havoc with the field during the second of the night-time runs.

“It got a bit interesting on the soft clay sections, which had turned to mud,” confessed Craig.  Despite losing a couple of seconds across the stage, they were able to retain their class lead into the final pass.

Fellow Pocket Rocket competitor, Steve Allmark, was out in his beautifully prepared Renault Clio Sport with first time navigator Mario Czornyi.  They finished third in class and a credible 18th outright.

The Rallying of Classics event, staged by the Gold Coast Tweed Motorsporting Club, was the first of its kind; a mixed surface event utilising the granite autocross track as well as the bitumen dragstrip service roads at Willowbank Park, connected by a series of newly built gravel roads.

The mixed surface definitely favoured the gravel-prepared cars, which dominated the field throughout the day.

The next event in the Silverstone Tyres Pocket Rocket Rally series is the Recovered Resources Rally at Gallangowan on November 3.  

For more information about the series visit www.pocketrocketrally.com

Photo courtesy of Gordon Williams

SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY

RallySport Magazine Subscription
Select Subscription Level
Select Subscription Length
Recurring Subscription Cost
A subscription to RallySport Magazine give you access to all our rally content from Australia, New Zealand and around the world – with news, features and experiences nobody can match. Our team are dedicated to providing an unrivalled experience which shares, supports and promotes the sport of rallying.
Already have an account?

By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.

We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires. If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period. You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.

Account Details
Payment Information

By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine. If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.

We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires. If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period. You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.

Show Your Support

Author

Title