Bates brothers set for hometown ARC title showdown

The final round of the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) heads to Canberra on November 18-19, with brothers Lewis and Harry Bates set to battle it out for the ARC title, whilst Subaru also coming back on board as the events major sponsor.

Fondly known as “The ROC” in rally circles, this year’s Rally of Canberra has Subaru Canberra come on as major sponsor, a return to its traditional “Subaru Rally of Canberra” title.

The championship is also set to get a deserving grandstand finish, as Adelaide Rally winner Lewis Bates looks to hold off his brother Harry Bates who’s loomed as a title threatening figure this season.

After the Toyota GR Yaris pair sealed yet another manufacturers title for the Japanese motor giant, the brand will also take a fifth straight win in Canberra should either of the brothers get up, and will also claim a third straight ARC drivers title either way. 

Lewis Bates (pictured here at the Gippsland Rally) and McLaughlin have been a consitent force all year with two round wins in TAS and SA.

Alongside their respective co-drivers Anthony McLaughlin and Coral Taylor, Lewis will attempt to go back-to-back in the ARC championship stakes, whilst Harry will attempt to equal the record for most wins at The ROC rally.

The latter will draw level with Cody Crocker (03, 05-08) for the most wins in the Nation’s Capital, as well as making it five straight, as he also hopes to take home a second title (2019) if he can overturn the 23 point difference to his brother.

In terms of overturning the points ledger, Harry can still win the title if Lewis comes in second, but he’d have to take out the points in the final Power Stage in Sunday’s Heat 2.

For the current championship leader, he described his close relationship with Harry at the Subaru event Launch in Canberra, as well as the technical challenges that await in the finale.

“Harry and I are best mates away from competition. But when the helmets go on, and we get into the rally, then we get into it as rivals and we’re definitely trying to beat each other,” L.Bates said.

Harry Bates and Taylor have also secured two wins this season in QLD and VIC to challenge for the championship.

“The Canberra stages are very technical, they’re very demanding on both the driver and the co-driver. It’s definitely one of the toughest rallies in Australia, but it’s also one of the best rallies in Australia because it’s a proper endurance test, it’s definitely my favourite rally of the season. 

“It’s not my best rally historically, but when everything is working the roads create some of the best stages to drive because they’re so technical.” 

For Harry, he’s hoping his Canberra love affair can continue, and describes the possibility of a Power stage showdown as an “epic” showpiece.

“We (Harry and Lewis) both live within ten minutes of here, and we love nothing more than to compete in the Subaru Canberra Rally of Canberra in front of our friends and family and hopefully get both the rally and championship win,” H.Bates said.

“There are 110 points on offer in the final round – 100 for the rally and 10 for the Power Stages. For me to have any chance of beating Lewis to the championship, I have to be leading the rally heading into the final Power Stage on Sunday. 

“If I’m leading, and Lewis is second, it all comes down to the final three kilometres of the season, and I encourage anyone in the area to come and watch because it will be an epic finale.” 

Seen winning here in 2017 with then co-driver John McCarthy, Harry Bates has made a healthy habit of taking out his hometown event.

There have also been some changes to the familiar layout of the Canberra course for both the competitor and spectator.

Competition will take place in the forests west of Canberra within the Tidbinbilla / Cotter regions on Saturday, November 18th. Crews will then return to the familiar roads of Kowen Forest on Sunday, November 19th.

The rally service park will also have a new home in 2023.  This years’ service will be located closer to the city and will be established in Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC). The new location will provide crews and spectators with access to on-site facilities including local petrol stations, fast-food outlets.

For the Subaru side of things, Subaru Canberra Dealer Principal Jon Dudok’s personal association with The ROC runs deep, and he’s delighted to be able to bring back the famous rally brand’s own association with the event.

“Supporting the ROC and helping create new rally memories for the next generation brings a great

source of pride to the dealership,’ Dudok said

“The old Subaru Rally of Canberra was a big part of my upbringing, and I have many great family memories from the forests around Canberra.”

Stay tuned into AUTO ACTION for more coming details on the November 18-19 Subaru Rally of Canberra.

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