Windus wins Vic rally opener in Subaru

Darren Windus has begun his preparation for this year's Australian Rally Championship in fine style by winning the first round of the Victorian Rally Championship, the Cerberus Stages Rally.

Together with former co-driver Michael Cains, Windus drove his Subaru Impreza WRX STI to a one minute and 10 second victory over the Subaru of Mark Fawcett and Simon Ellis.

David Nutter and Catherine Taylor were third, with Eli Evans and Scott Spedding fourth in a total Subaru domination.

NSW driver Jeff David starred to be the first two-wheel drive car home in his Porsche 911, 1o seconds ahead of Darryn Snooks in a Datsun Stanza. Ross Dunkerton, drive a Nissan 240RS, retired with mechanical problems.

Photos: John Doutch 

Final results:

1    Darren Windus/Michael Cains    Subaru WRX Sti    68:05    
2    Mark Fawcett/Simon Ellis    Subaru Impreza WRX STi    69:15    
3    David Nutter/Catherine Taylor    Subaru Impreza WRX    70:09    
4    Eli Evans/Scott Spedding    Subaru Impreza RS    71:42    
5    Kirk Marks/Sarah Marks    Subaru Impreza WRX RA    72:15    
6    Jeff David/Grant Geelan    Porsche 911T Rallye    72:16    
7    Darryn Snooks/Matt de Vaus    Datsun Stanza    72:26    
8    Paul Batten/Glen Raymond    Hyundai Excel    73:46    
9    Ivan Regester/Paul Humm    Subaru Legacy RS    73:51    
10    Justyn Snooks/Scott Middleton    Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000    74:04    
11    Kylie Evans/Jenny Cole    Subaru Impreza WRX    75:14    
12    Christopher Elliott/Cathy Rainer    Hyundai Lantra    75:41    
13    Rex Muldoon/Sandra Cuttle    Datsun 260Z    75:46    
14    Tim Stuchbery/Gerard Blum    Holden Commodore    75:52    
15    Ross Allan/Scott Allan    Hyundai Excel    76:32    
16    John Patterson/Geoff Patterson    Datsun 180B    77:22    
17    Troy Donoghue/Sue McCready    Holden Commodore    77:31    
18    Mike Welsh/Peter Aird    Toyota T18    77:54    
19    Emma Cugley/Joanne Robison    Hyundai Excel    78:35    
20    Nicola Testa/Steven Oake    Nissan Silvia RS    78:40    
21    David Lawrance/David Webb    Datsun 1600    79:49    
22    Tony Moore/Nicole Moore    Hyundai Excel    81:06    
23    Fiona White/Michael Loxton    Hyundai Excel    84:20    
24    Bill Hunter/Patrick Hunter    Suzuki Swift GTi    84:40    
25    Steve White/Kathryn Wallis    Saab 99 EMS    84:42    
26    Peter Morrison/Susan Wasson    Hyundai Excel    87:27    

Did not finish the event    
Daniel Carney/Rachel Hale    Hyundai Excel    DNF(9)    Fuel pump
Jon Lambie/David Lambie    Ford Escort Mk2    DNF(9)    Electrical
Terry Trewern/Andrew Ormesher    Toyota Corolla TE27    DNF(7)    Hit bank
Warren Lee/David Lethlean    Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3    DNF(RG)    Hit tree
Brendan Reeves/Rhianon Smyth    Subaru Impreza WRX STi    DNF(6)    No reason given
Ross Dunkerton/Alan Stean    Nissan 240 RS    DNF(4)    Broken mounting
Campbell Eastwood/Darren Miller    Datsun Stanza    DNF(L2)    Fuel pump
Jesse Robison/Sam Robison    Subaru Impreza WRX    DNF(L2)    Broken driveshaft
Nat Presutto/Marcus Richards    Subaru WRX Sti    DNF(3)    Mechanical
Geoff Legg-Stoker/Robert Johnston    Subaru Impreza WRX    DNF(3)    Overheating
Kira Douglas/Mandy Rudham    Mitsubishi Galant VR4    DNF(3)    Fuel pump
Ian Martin/Roslyn Martin    Subaru Impreza WRX    DNF(3)    Broken driveshaft
Derek Reynolds/David Kelly    Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5    DNF(3)    Turbo problem
Sidney Loke/Jason Tan    Subaru WRX Sti    DNF(2)    Gear failure

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