The CAMS Australian Rally Championship (ARC) enters its penultimate round this weekend in South Australia and Championship points are on everyone’s mind.
With at least five drivers mathematically in the hunt for the title, this weekend’s result will likely set up a mouth-watering finale at Kennards Hire Rally Australia on the Coffs Coast, where the 2018 champion will ultimately be crowned.
After taking out three consecutive rounds, Eli Evans occupies the top spot and a win this weekend in South Australia will see the Victorian with one hand on the Possum Bourne Memorial trophy.
While there is a mathematical chance that Evans can win the championship at this weekend’s BOTT Adelaide Hills Rally, it is unlikely, with a maximum of 101 points on offer at Rally Australia, due to its three-day ‘endurance’ format.
Evans currently sits 51 points ahead of his closest rival in Steve Glenney, 84 ahead of Harry Bates and 90 points ahead of 2016 Champion Molly Taylor.
A maximum of 81 points is up for grabs to the winner of the event this weekend. Even if Evans wins his fourth ARC round for 2018, the other title contenders would need to suffer some form of disaster to allow him to extend his lead to the required 101 point buffer to claim the title.
Glenney’s consistent and smooth driving has seen him score a good haul of points throughout the year, despite his only heat win coming on the final day at Subaru Rally Tasmania. He remains the closest challenger to Evans with two rounds remaining.
Harry Bates will be hungrier than ever to claim a round win after taking out March’s opening round in Ballarat. The Toyota Yaris AP4 pilot has claimed three heat wins, with only Evans on more, giving Bates hope after what has been a season of missed opportunities due to mechanical issues.
Taylor will also like her chances of scoring serious points, with the Subaru do Motorsport driver finishing second in the previous three South Australian rallies. Currently 90 points behind Evans, she will be relying on other results to fall her way if she is to have any chance of claiming top honours come year’s end.
Meanwhile, Ben Searcy sits in the box seat in the co-drivers’ Championship, with an 84-point buffer to rival John McCarthy. Glenney’s co-driver Andy Sarandis sits in fourth, 119 points adrift having not contested round one at the Eureka Rally in Victoria. Subaru do Motorsport’s Malcolm Read is in third, 90 points off the top spot.
The contenders
Drivers’ Championship:
Eli Evans 290 points
Steve Glenney 239 (- 51)
Harry Bates 206 (-84)
Molly Taylor 200 (-90)
Adrian Coppin 189 (-101)*
Lewis Bates 130 (-160)
*Coppin is not contesting round 5 or round 6
Co-Drivers’ Championship:
Ben Searcy 290 points
John McCarthy 206 (-84)
Malcolm Read 200 (-90)
Andy Sarandis 171 (-119)
Toni Feaver 136 (-154)*
Dale Moscatt 130 (-160)
*Toni Feaver is not contesting round 5
Available points:
Round 5 – BOTT Adelaide Hills Rally (sprint event, two heats)
40, 34, 30, 26, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 for Outright places first to twentieth for each Heat.
Plus one additional point for the Driver and Co-Driver with the most stage wins.
Round 6 – Kennards Hire Rally Australia (endurance event, three legs/days)
40, 34, 30, 26, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 for Outright places first to twentieth plus:
(A) Results of Leg/Day 1 only – 50% of the Outright points (rounded down);
(B) Results of Leg/Day 2 only – 50% of the Outright points (rounded up); and
(C) Results of Leg/Day 3 only – 50% of the Outright points (rounded down).
Plus one additional point for the Driver and Co-Driver with the most stage wins.
