Harry Bates’ lead in the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) is at risk, with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia driver’s South Australian campaign all but over.
A fire on the 10th stage of the event to the lead Toyota GR Yaris AP4 has opened the door for brother and teammate Lewis Bates to take the lead of not just the event, but potentially the 2022 Championship standings.
Harry and co-driver John McCarthy were left stranded on stage, with the exact cause still being determined. Unable to re-join on Saturday, the pair will look to salvage any points they can, should the car be repairable – including all important bonus points in the EROAD Power Stage on Sunday afternoon.
That catastrophe allowed Lewis and co-driver Anthony McLoughlin to take day two honours, ahead of Shamrock Motorsport’s Richie Dalton and Dale Moscatt.
Nathan Quinn and Ray Winwood Smith sit in third, the pair pushing the top contenders throughout the day in their Hyundai i20 G4 – but a puncture cost them valuable time through the middle of the day. Up & Go’s Troy Dowel and Bernie Webb sit in fourth.
In the White Wolf Constructions Production Cup, Jamie and Bradley Luff lead Curositi’s Taylor Gill and Daniel Brkic – the latter suffering mechanical gremlins of their own, down to three cylinders for a large part of Saturday’s action.
While in the Shamrock Haulage 2WD Cup and Glendun Junior Cup, Trailer Camper Australia’s James Dimmock and Paul Bennett lead in both, ahead of AMPL Auto’s Molly Spalding and Douglas Johnson.
All stages on Sunday take place around The Bend Motorsport Park and the circuit itself, alongside the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships event.
Sunday’s action begins at 9am ACDT, concluding with the EROAD Power Stage live and free on 7plus from 4pm.
