Steve Glenney’s preparation for the Subaru Rally Tasmania will be no different to any other of the CAMS Australian Rally Championship’s (ARC) rounds despite it being his ‘home’ rally.
Glenney, who is currently second on the ARC standings, has had Launceston as his home base since moving from South Australia four years ago.
The South Australian born driver believes that competing in his hometown is probably more difficult due to the standard routine being broken.
“If anything it’s a bit weirder because for every motor race, you are travelling somewhere so it’s that routine that you sort of get into,” Glenney said.
“For Tassie though, there is the comfort of having your own bed but somehow you have to switch yourself on that it is actually a race on this weekend.
“There is no real difference, just a bit less travel and a little bit less pressure because you haven’t had to go on planes and through airports. It is a little bit more relaxed which is nice.”
While his actual preparations will be the same as every other race he competes in, Glenney is aware that there will be more local support for his Contel Communications team, which has included a lot Tasmanian talent.
With owner Craig Brooks from Burnie, Jason White from Davenport, Launceston local boy Peter Nun and rally great Jamie Vandenberg all part of the team, Glenney is excited to begin testing.
“It’s a pretty cool team that Craig has assembled with a majority of them all being Targa legends including seven-time Targa Tasmania winner Jason White,” Glenney added.
“We are doing a full day test on Wednesday and we have a lot of parts to test because the car had a big overhaul in a bid to take a lot of weight out of it.
“We have new parts, new springs and new gear box to try. We will certainly be aiming to improve our pace and try and keep up with the R5 and AP4 cars.”
With a lot of a home grown talent part of the team to give Glenney a chance for his first round win since 2006, the Subaru WRX driver remains unfazed by his long victory drought.
“I am happy with the progress of this season so far but our aim for the season remains to keep the pressure on the front runners,” Glenney explained.
“We don’t have the outright pace to win but we are hoping that we have the reliability to keep the pressure on and that’s our role because obviously we have the slower, aging car.
“The weight of the car is getting closer to the others and it’s becoming easier to drive in faster sections. We’re just going to do our best to get near enough and annoy them.”
The ARC returns to the Tasmania after a ten year hiatus and more than 20 years since the same stages were run which has added to the excited build up of the rally.
Glenney has made one simple suggestion for rally fans attending Launceston for the ARC’s grand return.
“I think someone coming should go to the Cataract Gorge which is just amazing,” Glenney said.
“It’s super close to the city as well as the service park, it’s a lovely and picturesque walk which is the highlight of Launceston.”
The Subaru Rally Tasmania kicks off under lights on Friday 27 July with the Inveresk Super Special Stage before going through the forests of Launceston on the 28 – 29 July.
For those that can’t get to Launceston, stay tuned to rally.com.au for all the latest the news, results and video.
