Porsche ace Kevin Weeks struggled to build a slim lead in the 2007 Aeromil Pacific Classic Adelaide Rally after a frustrating second day of competition today.
Across 64.2 kilometres and nine special stages, Weeks extended his overnight lead by just 12.6 seconds over Adam Kaplan and his handbuilt Giocattolo Group B coupe.
Five-time winner Rex Broadbent, and Jim Richards, both in Porsches, are in equal-third spot and a mere 2.5 seconds further back in the 250-car field.
The problem today for leader and pursuers was perhaps less about the competition for fast times, than a lack of it.
While the pace undoubtedly was hot, the leading cars all managed to complete six stages within the allotted time, meaning none lost time or was able to gain it. Of the remaining stages, Weeks won two and Broadbent one.
Weeks, co-driven by Bec Crunkhorn, said tomorrow’s third of four legs in the rally would open up the contest.
“You won’t be able to clean stages tomorrow as easily. It will sort the order out,” Weeks said.
“I think everyone is absolutely ballistic out there. The pace has lifted dramatically – we were 20 seconds faster through Strathalbyn than last year.
“The pressure is to finish and we’ll just take it one stage at a time, but no-one is going to be able to rest over the weekend.”
Broadbent agrees there will be more winners and losers in tomorrow’s 67.38 km of closed-road racing in the Adelaide Hills, but fears the gap to first place is already too great to give him any chance of claiming a sixth-straight rally crown.
”That’s pretty close, but we’re not going to catch Kevin unless he has some sort of problem.
“He’s got the wood on us, but it’s certainly a tight fight for second. The pace will go up tomorrow.”
Day Three, sponsored by Malaysian Airlines, is over nine stages and will be the longest so far.
RESULTS – DAY TWO (sponsored by Leader Computers)
Top 5 – Competition category
1. Kevin Weeks (SA) / Bec Crunkhorn (SA) 1975 Porsche 911 RSR - 1 min. 18.5 sec. behind target time
2. Adam Kaplan (NSW) / David Kaplan (NSW) Giocattolo Group B - 1:37.4
3. Rex Broadbent (Vic.) / Michael Goedheer (Vic.) 1974 Porsche 911 RS & Jim Richards (Vic.) / Barry Oliver (Tas.) 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup - 1:39.9
4. Steve Hoinville (Vic.) / Robert Gilpin (Vic.) 1973 Ford Escort RS – 1:53.7
5. Roger Paterson (SA) / Paul Whatnell (SA) 1974 Porsche 911 RS – 2:12.2
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