Toyota Genuine Parts’ Harry Bates has picked up where he left off at The Courier Eureka Rally, winning three of this morning’s four stages and holding a 15 second lead in heat two at the lunch-time service.
In an almost carbon copy of heat one, Steve Glenney holds second position in the Contel Communications Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, continuing his fast and consistent run at the first round of the CAMS Australian Rally Championship.
Glenney is facing a challenge from Victorian Glen Raymond, who after a horror day yesterday that included two flat tyres and a broken differential, has bounced back to post the second fastest times in the first two stages and sits in third outright, 23 seconds off the lead.
Tankformers Eli Evans sits in fourth just two seconds behind Raymond and Subaru do Motorsport’s Molly Taylor rounds out the top five after another frustrating morning.
Taylor signalled her intentions early by setting the fastest time of the day on stage one, only to sustain damage to the Impreza WRX Sti in stage two when she came across a kangaroo.
Despite the damage, she managed to stay in touch with the frontrunners, 53 seconds from the lead.
Heat two of The Courier Eureka Rally will continue this afternoon with competitors completing four stages and 45.42 competitive kilometres before finishing at the Rally Hub service park at the Ballarat Airport at 3pm.
A podium presentation will follow at 4:30pm.
Standings after SS12.
| Pos | No | Crew | Vehicle | Total Gap 1st |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
3 | BATES McCARTHY |
Toyota Yaris |
24:27.5 + |
| 2 |
8 | GLENNEY POTTER |
Subaru Impreza WRX Sti |
24:42.4 +00:14.9 |
| 3 |
5 | RAYMOND CATFORD |
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX |
24:51.1 +00:23.6 |
| 4 |
2 | EVANS SEARCY |
Mini Cooper |
24:53.4 +00:25.9 |
| 5 |
4 | TAYLOR READ |
Subaru Impreza WRX Sti |
25:20.9 +00:53.4 |
| 6 |
11 | BATES MOSCATT |
Toyota Corolla |
25:59.6 +01:32.1 |
| 7 |
6 | COPPIN KELLY |
Peugeot 208 |
26:33.7 +02:06.2 |
| 8 |
7 | MARKOVIC FEAVER |
Subaru Impreza WRX Sti |
26:41.3 +02:13.8 |
| 9 |
12 | PENNY LLEWELLYN |
Subaru Impreza WRX |
27:00.5 +02:33.0 |
| 10 |
9 | HAYES HAYES |
Subaru Impreza WRX Sti |
27:46.2 +03:18.7 |
| 11 |
15 | O’DOWD SHEIL |
Subaru Impreza WRX Sti |
28:49.4 +04:21.9 |
| 12 |
16 | KAPLAN PENNEY |
Mazda RX7 |
29:45.1 +05:17.6 |
| 13 |
13 | MORTON PENNY |
Toyota Corolla |
(-2) 35:45.3 + |
