Local entrant at Telstra Rally Australia, Toby Heyring, has designs on success motivated by his famous father who invented a technology so advanced that it was banned from rallying!
Toby, 25, who spends his time between Eagle Bay, Claremont and Fremantle, will be contesting Telstra Rally Australia – the final running of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in Perth from 26 – 29 October.
Toby has been rallying for three years but has been exposed to the sport for much longer, thanks to the involvement of his father, Chris, an artist who designed Kinetic suspension. This technology was used by the Citroen World Rally Team in the 2003, 2004 and 2005 WRC, as well as the gruelling long distance event, the Dakar Rally.
As a result, Toby has accompanied his father to exotic locations such as the Sahara desert and Monte Carlo to watch rally cars fitted with Kinetic suspension compete.
Association with successful teams like Citroen and Mitsubishi must have rubbed off as Toby finished second in the West Australia Clubman Cup in his first full year of rallying in 2004. This year he finished second outright in the West Australian Rally Championship and first in Group N – his best result so far, and all without the advanced suspension that introduced him to the sport!
Toby said that he wants his state-level speed to translate into success at WRC level when he contests Telstra Rally Australia.
“My aim for Telstra Rally Australia is to be the fastest West Aussie competitor after Dean Herridge,” he said, referring to the experienced Australian Rally Championship regular. “I hope I can equal some of the international drivers and some of the leading Australian privateers. But the most important thing is to enjoy the event and learn as much as I can.”
Toby will be contesting Telstra Rally Australia in a Subaru Impreza and is one of 60 competitors from 15 countries that will start the event on October 26 at the Gloucester Park opening ceremony.
For a chance to see him in action, tickets can be purchased for as little as $20 from www.rallyaustralia.com or Ticketmaster on 1300 136 122.
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