Windus steps up for championship chase

Arron Windus’ pursuit for a maiden RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) title has received a major boost after acquiring a new vehicle.

Having campaigned a Subaru WRX STi in previous years, Windus will now be behind the wheel of brand-new state-of-the-art Ford Fiesta G4 for the 2022 season and beyond.

The new purchase was a long time in the making for Windus and the Activ Rallysport team, with the opportunity to purchase the car from Poland coming in April last year.

While he was looking for a new car to take him and regular co-driver Daniel Brkic to the next level, the upgrade to the Fiesta was an offer too good to not to take.

And with the team putting in the long hours to build the car in readiness for the ARC season opener in April, Windus was thrilled at the idea of being in the running for a national title.

“We’re really excited for this year, and we can’t wait to show off this new car,” Windus said.

“To turn a page into a new era with a car that’s up to date and current spec to G4 rules is really exciting and I am feeling really confident of a big year.

“The idea of purchasing the car came because we wanted to have a crack at the championship and this car puts us in the best spec for us.

“Of course, now that we have the car, Dan and I need to make sure we are at our best and get the absolute best out of the car in every single stage at all seven rallies.

“If we are reliable and drive well, then we can definitely be fighting up the front. This is what we are here to do and now we have the best opportunity that we have had in a long time to actually try and catch the two Toyotas.

“2021 was a learning year for us and our White Wolf Construction Production Cup victory was all about giving us the experience and setting us up for a big year.”

Windus has every right to be confident thanks to the serious set of specs the Fiesta boasts.

Geared up with MCA suspension, AP brakes, a Modena Engineering 6 speed sequential gearbox, Modern Engineering front, centre and rear diffs and Speedline 15-inch wheels, the Fiesta

However, the most impressive aspect about Windus’ new set of wheels is its 2.0 litre Subaru boxer engine – making the car a one-of-a-kind product and something the Victorian is most excited about.

“The Fiesta has Subaru running gear and the engine platform makes it the first car of its kind around the world so that is exciting for us,” Windus said.

“It’s certainly going to be a very reliable and very strong package and I think we should be competitive.

“It’s been in the works for a year now and we have had the car in the country for about five months after getting the Dytko body shield from Poland.

“The Activ Rallysport team have been working day and night over the off season and after building it completely from scratch, they have been continually finding more ways to add strength to it.

“Unfortunately, due to sourcing many parts from overseas, we might not have the car ready for a launch anytime soon, but we will be testing in March and will 100 per cent be in Canberra with our new car.”

The RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship season begins with the Netier National Capital Rally on 1-3 April