Subaru Do Motorsport – Molly Taylor and Bill Hayes take on Canberra

[motorculture]

The Subaru do Motorsport team achieved a sold fifth place in Heat One of the National Capital Rally, in Canberra.

With single digit temperatures testing die hard rally fans out in the field, the duo of Molly Taylor and Bill Hayes faced unexpected challenges from pre-start – including a failing front differential on the penultimate stage that necessitated a gearbox change at day’s end.

The duo had amped up the action in their Group N Production Class All-Wheel Drive Subaru WRX STI on the first two morning stages, recording a seventh place on the first pass through the 4.72 kilometre SS2 Settlement 1 and fifth on the day’s equal longest haul, the 29.26 km Wamboin River 1.



Two incidents involving other competitors on SS4 stopped the stage, with cars awarded an average time.

Overnight a faulty thermostat seal tested technicians’ teamwork when the car dumped coolant in transit, before it reached the start of the evening first stage Lakeside dash.

But Car number 13 proved lucky, with the techs managing to stem the flow with brief minutes to spare.

A repeat run of the first four stages saw the Subaru crew dig deep on Wamboin River II, where the concentration required on the big distance paid dividends in elevating them to the top five.



After some brief morning showers settled the dust in places today, Molly said: “It was little bit more slippery than we expected, which kept it interesting.

“It got our hearts racing last night when we dropped the coolant, but these are the unexpected things that test our teamwork.”

A ninth place on SS7 was a clue that all was not well under the car this afternoon.



Molly added: “About a third of the way through the stage it felt really tail happy and started losing drive.

“We were disappointed not to move up into fourth, but given the problems late in the day, we were happy to maintain fifth.”

A diagnosis of front diff problems led to the gearbox change in post-event service.



Heat Two concluded in an impressive fourth place finish of the National Capital Rally, in Canberra, which will likely be sufficient to give Subaru do Motorsport driver Molly Taylor outright third in the Australian Rally Drivers Championship standings.

A gearbox change to the team’s Group N Production Class All-Wheel Drive WRX STI after Heat One ensured a smooth start to the Sunday, with temperatures initially hovering on zero and fog threatening to roll in over the Tidbinbilla forest stages.

But with skies clearing, the Subaru duo of Taylor and co-driver Bill Hayes once more showed their expertise over the bigger distances.



It was again on the day’s equal longest haul, the 30.18 kilometre SS11 Cottage 5 Ways I, that the pair proved their mettle, seizing third on stage.

They had jumped two places to fourth on the preceding stage when an off into a ditch by a charging Simon Evans presented the opportunity for Taylor to move up the leader board.

The repeat trio of stages after morning service allowed Taylor and Hayes to consolidate their position – they even managed to place third overall after SS12.



Molly said: “We had no real problems this morning, following the gearbox change.

“But conditions were a bit changeable on the first two stages, which were super technical.

“The third stage was probably the longest we do all year, with some very narrow areas that are hardest to read.

“Mechanically, the car was all sorted, so we’re pleased to report it was fairly smooth sailing.”

After Heat Two, Taylor provisionally lies third in the Drivers rankings, which are to be confirmed by the Australian Rally Championship.



The Canberra event is Round Two of the Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship 2016,
Round Three of the Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship 2016 is the International Rally of Queensland, from June 17-19.

HEAT ONE PLACINGS
1. Evans/Searcy, Subaru Impreza WRX, 01:07:35.2
2. Reeves/Gelsomino, Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C, 01:08:53.9, +01:18.7
3. Quinn/Calder, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, 01:09:42.2, +02:07.0
4. Wilde/Hill, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, 01:10:34.0, +02:58.8
5. Taylor/Hayes, Subaru WRX STI, 01:11:28.3, +03:53.1

HEAT TWO PLACINGS
1. Reeves/Gelsomino, Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C, 01:15:54.1
2. Quinn/Calder, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, 01:17:00.6, +01:06.5
3. Bates/McCarthy, Toyota Corolla S2000, 01:17:38.3, +01:44.2
4. Taylor/Hayes, Subaru WRX STI, 01:17:55.3, +02:01.2
5. Wilde/Hill, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, 01:17:55.9, +02:01.8



KUMHO TYRE AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP® 2016

Round 3 – International Rally of QLD
17th - 19th June

Round 4 - Rally SA
9th - 11th September

Round 5 – Kennards Hire Rally Australia, Coffs Harbour
17th - 20th November


For more information on Subaru locally, visit:
Subaru Australia: http://www.subaru.com.au/

Subaru WRX Premium: http://www.subaru.com.au/wrx/premium
Subaru WRX STI Premium: http://www.subaru.com.au/wrx-sti/premium