ARC heads to gippsland
The upcoming edition of The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally is set to bring another thrilling chapter to the Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC), as competitors prepare for a crucial round in both the drivers' and co-drivers' championships.
Returning for its second appearance on the ARC calendar since its comeback in 2022, The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally has already proven to be a pivotal event in the championship's landscape. Last year's rally played a crucial role in Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin's title victory, marking a turning point that led to their maiden ARC Championship triumph.
Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia's Bates and McLoughlin, the 2022 victors, are set to return to Gippsland with fond memories of their previous success. The rally marked their first-ever round win and showcased their consistent pace throughout the 13-stage event.
In the 2022 Gippsland Rally, the sibling duo of Harry Bates and John McCarthy experienced an unfortunate mechanical issue with their Toyota GR Yaris AP4 during SS6, impacting their performance. This setback allowed Lewis and McLoughlin to seize control and secure victory, finishing ahead of Troy Dowel and Bernie Webb in second place. Max McRae and Mac Kierans put up a strong fight for third place.
While Dowel and Webb managed to secure second place, McRae and Kierans dominated the White Wolf Constructions ARC Production Cup. The top five finishers, including Jamie and Brad Luff and Ronnie Bustard and Larisa Biggar, all achieved career-best results.
Brendan Reeves and Kate Raymond led the Victorian entries with an impressive sixth-place overall finish, also securing the ARC Classic Cup honors. Guy Tyler and Zayne Admiraal claimed victory in the ARC 2WD Cup and secured seventh place overall, benefiting from a late-class lead change due to Ryan Williams and Brad Jones crashing out.
Dean Ridge and Phillip Bonser secured the second spot on the ARC 2WD Cup podium, finishing eighth overall, while James Dimmock and Paul Bennett rounded out the class podium. Dimmock and Bennett's achievements extended to the Shamrock Haulage ARC Junior Cup, where they triumphed comfortably.
As ARC competitors gear up for The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally, the stakes remain high, promising another thrilling installment in the championship saga.
