Bates on track for perfect weekend

Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia’s Harry Bates and John McCarthy are on track for a perfect weekend, with the duo yet to beaten on any stage at Subaru Rally Tasmania.

At the midway point of Sunday’s action, the pair lead the way in heat two – winning all three of this morning’s stages under blue skies in the forests near Launceston.

It’s been a terrific morning for the Toyota team, with the second Yaris AP4 entry of Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin 37 seconds behind the leaders in second place.

Les Walkden Rally’s Simon Evans and Bernie Webb sit only one second behind Lewis Bates in third, turning around their fortunes from Saturday where a gearbox issue cruelled their opening heat.

The big story of the morning was an issue that has slowed Subaru do Motorsport’s Molly Taylor and Malcolm Read.

Taylor said the pair struck an unknown object on one of the tight and twisty stages, leaving the car with damage to the right rear as well as a steering issue. The problems extended to their brakes, with only rear brakes working for the pair in the last stage of the morning.

Despite their issues, they managed to keep the pace competitive – impressively maintaining fourth and are still on track for an overall podium after quick repairs at the midday service have the team hopeful of a stronger afternoon.

Shamrock Motorsport’s Richie Dalton and Dale Moscatt’s unfortunate run of luck in 2019 has continued again on Sunday, with more mechanical gremlins costing them a chance at a strong showing in heat two – the pair are now four minutes off the pace.