Bates begins ‘dream’ rally
The 2024 Rally de Portugal has begun and so has Lewis Bates’ dream of competing at a FIA World Rally Championship event.
Bates is making his WRC event debut in WRC2 alongside longtime co-driver Anthony McLoughlin in the newToyota GR Yaris Rally2.
After the short opening 2.94km stage, Bates sits 37th overall after a 2m38.9s time, which is 14s off overall leader Thierry Neuville.
This puts the ARC star 27th in the WRC2 standings, but the opening day was just a very brief taste with eight much longer and tougher fast and technical gravel road stages await on Friday.
In WRC, Neuville has edged ahead of Sebastien Ogier to take a tight 0.6s lead.
Bates admitted the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage and especially a historic event that was part of the inaugural WRC back in 1973 is the stuff of dreams.
“Portugal is an absolute dream come true,” Bates told AUTO ACTION pre event.
“I cannot thank Luke, Safety Culture and everyone enough for the opportunity.
“It is something I have dreamed of my whole life to compete in a round of the World Rally Championship, especially in Portugal. That is my pick of the lot.
“It is an incredible event and really looking forward to it, but it will be really tough.
“I am not putting too many expectations on myself but as long as I get the best out of myself and have a clean weekend I will be happy.”
Bates follows Peter Rullo/Ben Searcy and Taylor Gill/Dan Brkic, who both represented Australia at the season-opening Rally Sweden.
Being his first ever rally overseas, Bates said he has been looking for lots of advice to take on the challenge.
“This will be my first ever rally not in Australia, so I am definitely leaning on as many people for advice because it all helps,” he said.
“The WRC is a whole other world.
It will be great to have my Antony my usual co-driver coming over with me because he has lots of overseas experience.
“It is cool (Aussies in WRC2) and a shame Taylor won’t be at Portugal.
“There will be a whole lot of new things but looking forward to taking it on.”
If Bates is able to get through the entire rally, arguably the most spectacular final stage awaits.
The iconic Pedra Sentada Fafe Jump where cars fly airborne for the best part of 40 metres in front of thousands of fans is a massive annual highlight.
“I am a bit scared of the faith jump because there is so much hype around it,” Bates said.
“We would have had a few days in the car by then but it is pretty surreal to be competing on that stage.
“The whole fan base and atmosphere there is just incredible
“I am pinching myself that will be driving on that stage. I have played it on video games so many times so it will be pretty cool to do it real life.”
The Rally de Portugal continues tonight.
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