Ahead of the 2024 Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) season opener, theTechworkz Automotive Rally of Canberra, there are a lot of unknowns about who will finish where.
In order to help us make the decision, we rounded up a team of ARC pundits to give their expert opinion on some of the key results.
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Dean Herridge – ARC presenter
Winner: Scott Pedder and Glen Macneall
I believe he will have the pace – just need to make sure he stays consistent and doesn’t make any mistakes
Runner-Up: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin
Lewis will be in the same Yaris GR AP4 he steered to the runner-up finish last year, so he should be pretty comfortable and I expect him to produce a similar result.
Podium: Eddie Maguire and Zak Brakey
Canberra is a bit tricky, and it won’t allow his natural pace to show, but he is still capable of a good result. Watch this space later in the year though.
Dark Horse: Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis
If it pours with rain as predicted and she can keep it neat and tidy, A solid production car with no issues could definitely feature high in the outright results.
Power Stage: Harry Bates and Coral Taylor
I just have a gut feel that the new car will have to be worked through, but could have one stage pace particularly if there is no outright result to protect on the Power Stage.
Surprise Packet: Alex Rullo and Steve Glenney
I say surprise because he has the pace and if he can land a mistake free run, he could surprise people.
Production Cup: Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis
Not much to say on this – If she is battling towards the top of the outright results, then she should comfortably take out the Production Cup.
Greg Rust – ARC Presenter
Winner: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin
I feel that the stability of that package and knowing what it takes to win a championship will play in his favour. He also has a good knowledge of the roads, which will help him get the best possible start to the year.
Runner-up: Harry Bates and Coral Taylor
Although it’s a new global package, I’d like to think the hardworking DNA of Neal Bates Motorsport will filter through to this new Rally 2 car. It will be stronger straight off the blocks – more than people think – but just might fall short of the win as they continue to learn how to extract the best from it. Expect it to be close again between the Bates brothers.
Podium: Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall
It’s been 10 years since he won the championship, and he comes into his first full season for a while really reinvigorated. He’s a different animal this time round. He’s always had this raw speed but I reckon there’ll be more polish this time with a strong focus on consistency.
Dark Horse: Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis
While she is in the Production Cup, I just wonder if the wet conditions will play to their collective strengths. Factor in a new control tyre and new cars for others, I just feel that car, the driver and the conditions could see them higher up the leaderboard than what’s on paper going into this first event.
Power Stage: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin
Lewis came so close to winning back-to-back titles last year, but just missed out on the Power Stage. That will be uppermost in his mind. There’s a hunger in Lewis that’s a big driver to get those bonus points. He’s going to take it to another level this year.
Surprise Packet: Alex Rullo and Steve Glenney
Crazy to think Alex is still only 23-year-old. I knew him as a teenager in Supercars. Having Glenney beside him is a massive asset and that full year of rallying for Alex in 2023 will serve him well. I’m excited to see what they can come up with.
Production Cup: Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis
Molly is driving so many things at the moment so match fitness is strong. While continued success on the international stage is a big focus she has so much love for this championship. Given the quality of outright cars, I’m not sure overall event glory is there, but the odds of taking out Production Cup have to be incredibly short priced.
Taylor Gill – Australian Junior WRC driver
Winner: Harry Bates and Coral Taylor
Harry’s won in Canberra for five years straight. Now in what is arguably the fastest car in the field, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a sixth Canberra win from Harry
Runner up: Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall
Experienced, fast and smart. No doubt he can get a good result in Canberra.
Podium: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin
The man in the best position to hit the ground running from last year’s Rally of Canberra. Lewis will be quick for sure, but can the AP4 keep up?
Dark Horse: Alex Rullo and Steve Glenney
Now with some experience of the brutal Canberra forests and a season in Rally2 machinery under his belt, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Alex grab a stage win or two, especially in the Kowen forests.
Power Stage: Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall
I think the level of competition and commitment Scott experienced in Europe puts him in the best position to fully attack the Power Stage and take the full bonus points.
Surprise Packet: Josh Redhead and Ray Winwood-Smith
If the car holds together, I have no doubt that Josh can set some really solid times – especially having done the rally last year
Production Cup: Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis
How can you bet against Molly? Fastest driver in the fastest car – it’ll take a disaster for her to not be on the top step of the Cup.
Nathan Quinn – 2017 ARC Champion
Winner: Harry Bates and Coral Taylor
Harry has hometown advantage and is going to want to give everyone a taster of how he wants it to go this year. New car won’t phase him either – he probably secretly knows it’s faster. And if it rains, that will work better for him as car number one.
Runner up: Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall
I am thinking Scott will grab second place, BUT is there enough road for him to keep it on…no bull. He does have Lewis on pure speed, but any slip up, it’s all Lewis’.
Podium: Eddie Maguire and Zak Brakey
Eddie Mac should certainly have his sights on a podium, but I’m not sure he will have the pace of Pedder or LB.
Dark Horse: Steve Maguire and Ben Searcy
He already had good pace last year, and let’s be honest, no-one goes slower in a Skoda. So certainly an unknown factor. Sidenote: A Skoda even made Adrian Coppin fast.
Power Stage: Harry Bates and Coral Taylor.
Harry again. He and Lewis really work hard on those stages and truly put in amazing times. I actually think both the Bates brothers’ Power Stage notes have less stage mileage then the rest of the field.
Surprise Packet: Josh Redhead and Ray Winwood-Smith
The i20 is a proven stage winner and podium getter. He has a good package, great road position and I expect he should go top five.
Production Cup: Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis
Molly will have it in the bag. She drives with more guts then most of the field – me included. She will also be hungry after last year’s limited ARC program.
Garry O’Brien – ARC correspondent – Speedcafe
Winner – Harry Bates and Coral Taylor
With so much experience and success in Canberra – Harry should be able to get the win here if the new Rally 2 comes through without issues.
Runner Up – Lewis Bates and Anthony Mcloughlin
A proven driver and team in a proven car. I have no doubt he will chasing the victory but may fall just short. Lewis can pick up the win if the #1 has a problem though.
Podium: Eddie Maguire and Zak Brakey.
They showed lots of pace last year and picked up a number of podiums in the Skoda. With more experience. I expect them to lead the Skoda charge.
Dark Horse: Alex Rullo and Steve Glenney
He is a driver that is getting better with each outing. Throw in a very experienced co-driver calling the notes, and I think Alex could certainly shock a few people.
Power Stage: Harry Bates and Coral Taylor
Won it at the same event last year, so expect him to do it again.
Surprise Packet: Josh Redhead and Ray Winwood-Smith
Having acquired Nathan Quinn’s proven car and ever-experienced navigator in Ray, Josh could definitely make up a few places. I also rate the Luff brothers, who have a couple of years under their belt.
Production Cup: Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis
A proven combination, with a strong car and an even stronger driver – I believe they will also fare quite well overall.
Jessica Dane – former ARC presenter
Winner: Harry Bates and Coral Taylor
It’s hard to go past the champions who sealed their title under huge pressure at this very location last year. The one catch… will the brand new Rally2 Yaris hold up to Canberra’s brutal roads?
Runner Up: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin
They’ve been super consistent for the past two seasons and I expect them to be right up there to capitalise on any mechanical issues or mistakes their teammates may have.
Podium: Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall
Wheeling the Subaru WRX Challenge car last year must have whetted some appetites. I’m fully expecting these guys to come firing out of the blocks!
Dark Horse: Alex Rullo and Steve Glenney
With a full season of the ARC now under Alex’s belt, I can see him going from strength to strength this year. Plus, the unique characteristics of Canberra should be comparatively fresh in his mind.
Power Stage: Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall
I’ve no doubt this combination will crank it up to another level when the heat is on and the spotlight is on them.
Surprise Packet: Steve Maguire and Ben Searcy
It will probably take this crew a couple of rallies to feel comfortable in the Skoda R5, but they’ll have Eddie Maguire’s experience to lean on.
Production Cup: Molly Taylor and Andy Sarandis
Provided they don’t have any mistakes or mechanical issues, Molly and Andy should have it in the bag.
Photos: Dan Thompson, Gears and Wheels Photography and Carsmosport
