September 11, 2016
The Subaru do Motorsport team have achieved their best result to date, finishing round four of the 2016 Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship in second place, after a faultless drive from Molly Taylor and Bill Hayes in South Australia.
Driving their Group N Production Class All-Wheel Drive Subaru WRX STI NR4 in Lightforce Rally SA, the pair backed up their second place from Heat One, to finish fourth in Heat Two.
The result now sees them provisionally second overall in the championship, and well within reach of the national title with just one round to go.
Day two of the event was held in fine and dry conditions in South Australia’s beautiful Barossa Valley, and Molly was once again at her consistent best, powering the Subaru over the fast stages.
“It’s been just about the perfect weekend and the car has gone superbly,” Molly said.
“After heavy rain before the rally, the organisers did a remarkable job and the stages were great fun to drive.
“The shire roads were really dry today and conditions were quite slippery, but once again the car proved its capabilities.”
The final round of the Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship will be held in Coffs Harbour in November. Kennards Hire Rally Australia is also a round of the World Rally Championship, where Molly is keen to perform well.
“Rally Australia is the pinnacle event in the championship, and to be second in the series heading into the event gives the whole Subaru do Motorsport team a huge boost,” Molly added.
“It may be two months away, but we’re already looking forward to the challenge.”
HEAT TWO PLACINGS (provisional)
1. Reeves/Gelsomino, Subaru Impreza WRX, 51:34.9
2. Evans/Searcy, Subaru Impreza WRX, 52:06.9, +00:32
3. Bates/McCarthy, Toyota Corolla S2000, 53:34.2, +01:59.3
4. Taylor/Hayes, Subaru WRX STI, 58:36.5, 54:08.9, +02:32.0
5. Maguire/Potter, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, 54:23.3, +02:48.4
2016 KUMHO TYRE AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 5 – Kennards Hire Rally Australia, Coffs Harbour
17 – 20 November