Reading hunting for maiden ARC title

Tasmanian Bodie Reading will head to the National Capital Rally for the final round of the Australian Rally Championship (ARC) in the box seat for the Production Cup title.

Whilst all eyes will be on the Bates Brothers this weekend as they battle it out for the ARC title in their Toyota’s, The Production Cup title will also be up for grabs for the second year running.

Bodie Reading and co-driver Mark Young hold a 30 point advantage over Steve Maguire and Ben Searcy.

Last year the ARC finale at Coffs Coast saw a battle between youngsters Taylor Gill and Max McRae, with Gill taking the Production Cup title as its youngest ever winner.

Whilst Young (R) has sewn up the co-drivers Production Cup title, Reading (L) will look to do the same for the drivers honours this weekend

And whilst Gill is returning to the Production Cup field fresh from his FIA Rally Star training season in Europe, Reading will be the focus this time around as he and Young look to take the title after initially being in doubt following their big crash at the Adelaide Hills Rally in their Subaru WRX STI.

After the pair managed to find a replacement vehicle to enter Canberra after Reading threw the kitchen sink at trying to get there, the Tassie pilot now has the fate of the title in his own hands rather than having to sit back and hope.

It’s been a remarkable year for the young driver after his stellar performance in the opening round at Launceston where he finished fourth outright as well as taking the Production Cup win.

That effort got the attention of Neal Bates Motorsport team, who helped transport his Subaru for free to the WA round which gave him the option of a full season.

A determined Bodie Reading and Mark Young will make the service park in Canberra despite their huge crash in Adelaide

Although they only mustered fourth in the Cup standings, another great performance and a Cup Heat win and solid all round event in Queensland the following round put them in a nice position, and after capitalising with another class win at Gippsland, their mishap at Adelaide saw them keep their lead heading to the finale.

Whilst Maguire needs nothing less than a win to take the Cup title, if he does so, Reading needs to finish third or better to take home the crown, but a finish of fourth or worse in that scenario would see the Mitsubishi Evolution IX take the title.

The Subaru Canberra Rally of Canberra takes place in and around the forests of Canberra on 17-19 November.

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