Bates keen to bring WRC experience to ARC
After a special trip to Portugal, Lewis Bates is determined to put the experience to good use at this weekend’s Forest Rally.
The Australian Rally Championship resumes out west where 59 crews will fight for ARC and Motorsport Australia WA Rally Championship honours.
One of the top contenders will be Bates, who’s is back home after making his FIA World Rally Championship event debut by competing in WRC2 at Rally de Portugal.
The Aussie drove the 2023 Toyota GR Yaris – Rally 2 car for the first time in Europe and managed to finish the rally, including the famous Fafe Jump.
But when Bates returns to the ARC he will also be back behind the wheel of 2020 Toyota GR Yaris – AP4.
He will be chasing his brother and reigning champion Harry Bates, who dominated the season opener at Canberra, winning all six stages in the new car.
Still buzzing from Portugal, Lewis Bates is eager to go full attack in WA.
“It’s nice to be back in Australia and we are mostly over our jet lag. I am just happy to be in WA as it’s one of my favourite events and the weather is looking fantastic,” he said.
“We have managed to have a successful test in the AP4 already, and it feels nice.
“In some aspects, it’s quite different to the Rally2 car we had overseas but also quite similar in other aspects.
“It was a bit of a surprise coming back to these loose ball bearing roads of WA, as it’s very different from Portugal, but fortunately we got into a rhythm quite quickly and I am comfortable with the conditions.
“Portugal was an amazing experience and although some things didn’t go our way, every little bit of seat time helps and we are going into this weekend feeling fired up and ready to go.”
Outside of the Toyota stars, home hero Alex Rullo will be looking to make an impact after standing on the podium in the capital.
His dad Peter also has WRC2 experience in 2024, while Scott Pedder hopes to be a top contender.
The Forest Rally will open with 104km across Saturday’s six stages and then the remaining 76 kilometres during Sunday’s five stages.
The biggest challenge will be the introduction of the Lewana Stage, which hasn’t been used for 15 years.
After heavy rain dampened the season opener, a sunnier forecast is in prospect in Western Australia, which generates plenty of excitement for Clerk of Course Ross Tapper.
“Everything is shaping up to make this weekend one of the best in recent years and I think the perfect forecast is definitely a contributor to that,” he said.
““We have been blessed with the weather – even to the point of having much needed rain a week beforehand, which will have soaked into the clay roads and packed the roads hard.
“The organising team is very excited for this weekend and we are all ready to go. We are due to have our biggest crowd ever for the Friday night Show and Shine and Ceremonial Start, which would be the perfect way to kick off the weekend.”
Image: Dakar Press Team Australia
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