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Quit Forest Rally

Rally in Canberra Sets the Pace for Western Australia

With Round One of the NEC Computers Australia Rally Championship, the Subaru Capital Rally now completed, competition in Round Two, the QUIT Forest Rally in Western Australia is certain to be fierce.

At the top of the rally driver list are Toyota's Neal Bates and co-driver Coral Taylor who came first place in Heat One of the Subaru Capital Rally and second place in Heat Two, claiming their first round win in the NEC Computers Australian Rally Championship since 2001.

Mr Bates finished runner up in Heat Two to Toyota team mate Simon Evans, but the combined points from Heat One meant Bates clinched the all-important round win.

"I'm very happy. It's been a very tough event, and I wouldn't say that I was being cautious but I tried to be reasonably easy on the car and this time it's paid dividends," Mr Bates said.

"It's been a few years since my last round win, and it was 1997 since I last won my home event here in Canberra, so it's about time.”

"It's been a lot of hard work developing the Group N (P) car and all the credit has to go to the team, because now we're in a position to fight for the lead,” he said.

Mr Bates and Mr Evans continued a thrilling see-saw battle right up until the finish line, but it was Mr Evans who scored the win in Heat Two and second overall for the Subaru Capital Rally. After eight stages and almost 100 kilometres of rallying on Canberra's rough and dusty roads the pair were separated by just 2.8 seconds.

Western Australia’s own champion Dean Herridge claimed top privateer points and third Outright in the NEC Computers ARC. Mitsubishi’s Scott Pedder has the fastest speed but lost time due two punctures and ended up fourth outright.

Privateer Martin Lintott held off Will Orders to claim fifth outright in the Capital Rally section, but Orders took outright honours in the BP Ultimate Challenge section ahead of fast charging Victorian Jesse Robison.

The NEC Computers Australian Rally Championship will continue through a further five events around the nation, next up being the QUIT Forest Rally in Western Australia from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 May 2006.

The top seven place getters from the Subaru Capital Rally will be competing in the QUIT Forest Rally.

Starting at the Busselton Toyota Super Stage on the Busselton foreshore, the QUIT Forest Rally will roar through the forests near Nannup and return to the Busselton Toyota Super Stage on Saturday evening. On Sunday, rally action will take place in the forests around Nannup.

About 50 cars are expected, including top models by Toyota, Mitsubishi, Subaru and the long awaited return of Ford after a 20 year absence.

Tickets are $10 per adult or $25 for a weekend pass to all spectator points. Children under 15 enter for free. Tickets are available from the Pit Stop Book Shop, 33 King Street Perth.

Entries for the QUIT Forest Rally close on Thursday 27 April.

For more information visit www.rally.com.au or www.wacarclub.com.au .

NEC Computers Australian Rally Championship - Driver's Points after Round One (provisional)
Neal Bates 36
Simon Evans 32
Dean Herridge 30
Scott Pedder 27
Martin Lintott 20
Will Orders 12
Darren Windus 8

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Contact Hayley Peak if you are interested in featuring your event on MySouthWest

Email: hayley@mysouthwest.com.au
Phone: 9722 3888