The 2024 Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship resumes this weekend with the Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally.
Our series of ARC experts gave their predictions ahead of fourth-round proceedings commencing.
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GREG RUST
ARC TV PRESENTER
Winner: Lewis Bates
We’ve had so many cool stories this season, I feel like the time is right for another one.
Runner-Up: Scott Pedder
Hot off the back of a win last time out and competing in his home state. Good ingredients.
Podium: Harry Bates
He’s determined to keep banking points now things have tightened up. Harry knows what it takes to stitch together titles.
Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Alex Rullo
This won’t be the only moment he turns heads this weekend; he’ll be a serious podium contender too.
Dark Horse: Eddie Maguire
Don’t underestimate how powerful the family podium in Queensland will be as a driver for more success for this outfit.
Surprise Packet: Glenn Brinkman
I’m personally looking forward to seeing how the Subaru WRX Challenge entries go on these roads.
MainFix Production Cup: Molly Taylor
Purely for match fitness in this ARC class. Gippsland is likely to see one of the fiercest battles in Production Cup in 2024.
TAYLOR GILL
AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR WRC DRIVER
Winner: Scott Pedder
Although his 2023 Gippsland campaign didn’t last long, he showed instantly that he means business on the flowing Victorian stages. It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see him on the top step come Sunday
Runner-Up: Harry Bates
A previous winner in Gippsland. I think this one could go right down to the wire, but potentially Scott has the raw speed to get the better of Harry. Let’s see…
Podium: Eddie Maguire
After a solid performance last time out in Queensland, I think Eddie could be on for yet another podium in Gippsland if he can string together a clean event.
Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Harry Bates
Winner of the power stage in Gippsland for two years on the bounce, I’ll put my money on him to make that a hat trick this year.
Dark Horse: Ryan Williams
One of the only top Production Cup competitors with previous experience on these stages, I think Ryan could punch above his weight this weekend.
Surprise Packet: Nao Otake
Nao’s European experience and speed last season as part of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s challenge program could see him really surprise a few people this weekend, but let’s see what sort of spec his car is up to.
MainFix Production Cup: Clayton Hoy
With the momentum of Queensland behind him and a quick car and driver combination well suited to the flowing Gippsland stages, I’ll put my money on Clayton to sweep the production field this weekend
NATHAN QUINN
2017 ARC DRIVERS’ CHAMPION
Winner: Scott Pedder
After a good run in Queensland, more testing, and having competed in Gippsland the previous two years, I’m more then confident he can do a 10/10 weekend in his home state.
Runner-Up: Harry Bates
At the halfway point of the season there’s more to lose than gain, especially with the top three point-scorers so tight. Harry has the maturity and sees the big picture; he will know the right time to settle.
Podium: Eddie Maguire
Eddie had a good run here last year and he continues to build pace this year. He is in the fight for championship honours with three events left to run, which is very exciting, but I’m sure he knows now is not the time to back off.
Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Lewis Bates
Just pipped for the 2023 Gippsland Power Stage, I’m sure he will know how and where to find the missing time. Coupled with a weekend of caressing his new car I’m confident he will be perfectly dialled come Sunday afternoon.
Dark Horse: Clayton Hoy
Though it’s his first time to the area, his meticulous in-car event preparation will rule out any disadvantage for him! He will fall in love with Saturday’s roads and based off his Queensland pace, I expect to see him placing no less than top five stage times all weekend. He really could be an upset to the outright point scorers.
Surprise Packet: Steve Maguire
A great result for himself and his team in Queensland, and like his brother building pace through the year, but on a steeper gradient. It will be an exciting weekend tracking Steve’s results.
MainFix Production Cup: Clayton Hoy
As per Queensland, it will be a great race between Molly Taylor and Ryan Williams, however, Clayton will certainly be the ripest of the group again.
GARRY O’BRIEN
SPEEDCAFE.COM
Winner: Harry Bates
Conditions are likely more suitable to the development of the Rally 2 car in Victoria than they were in Queensland. A crash at the last round did not help although they still have the points lead.
Runner-Up: Scott Pedder
Sizzling form in Queensland with the Heat 1 victory, and only a puncture stopped a second heat win. Still took the round, their first in a decade.
Podium: Lewis Bates
Didn’t score any points list time our due to a crash in Heat 1. They will be anxious to atone and will be pacey.
Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Lewis Bates
The bit between their teeth after the disaster at Rally Queensland will culminate in a fast power stage.
Dark Horse: Jamie Luff
Consistency has been their forte and if that continues, they could be even higher than the two sixth placings at the last round.
Surprise Packet: Peter Rullo
The leading Hyundai team gets closer to a heat podium and will break through sooner rather than later.
MainFix Production Cup: Molly Taylor
Expect this combination to hit back in Victoria after a broken driveshaft robbed them of a Heat 2 result at Rally Queensland.
DEAN HERRIDGE
ARC TV PRESENTER
Winner: Scott Pedder
Pace wise, so far this year it has been a two-horse race. Both Scott and Harry seem to have the edge over the rest of field, however, both haven’t had a trouble-free run. For either to take the title they will have to steady the ship and as his home event (if there is such a thing nowadays) it’s the perfect time for SP to do this and I’m therefore tipping him for back-to-back wins.
Runner-Up: Harry Bates
I have been toggling Scott and Harry for the top spot all year and for good reason. I can’t wait to see the stage times between them in Victoria. Although Harry has made a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes in the opening stage of the last few events, his fightbacks have been impressive. Can he have that mistake free run in the first endurance round of the year? I think he’ll need it to beat Scott.
Podium: Eddie Maguire
This makes my predictions obvious and maybe not that exciting, however, the facts of the matter are that despite Eddie also not having a faultless run, he is just always there. Now that he looks to have sorted the Skoda a little more in Queensland and is becoming more confident, I think this only strengthens his consistency.
Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Lewis Bates
I just think Lewis has some pace and confidence around the Power Stages and that is exactly what he is going to need after Queensland – confidence. Victoria has always been a happy hunting ground and kicked of his championship-winning season in 2022.
Dark Horse: Jamie Luff
You just get the feeling that the Luff brothers’ luck is finally turning, and the confidence and stage times are following. If the car can hold the reliability and they stay out of trouble, this being an endurance event could just net them a very nice outright result.
Surprise Packet: Clayton Hoy
Clayton was super impressive on his return drive in Queensland, winning the Production Cup, however his outright pace is why I have picked him as the surprise packet in this event. If the car can stay under him, just watch out for what could be a very good outright result, not just on attrition, but actual speed.
MainFix Production Cup: Clayton Hoy
I can’t mention everything above and not expect Clayton to win, however the Production Cup battle was awesome in Queensland, and it should be the same here in Victoria. Just the jump up the seeding for Ryan Williams and Bodie Reading shows the speed they have. What a cup battle we could see.
