3rd May 2000. Middleton Returns To Familiar Territory

Team News from MRT

3rd May 2000. Middleton Returns To Familiar Territory
Article By: Ryan Lahiff

For Brett Middleton and the Middleton Rally Team the past 6 months have been a trying time. The step up from Formula 2 to an outright Group A Subaru Impreza WRX has been a steep learning curve for Triple Australian F2 Champion, however this weekend's FAI Rally of Canberra will see the team return to the familiar forests surrounding the Nation's Capital. Photo Courtesy of Stuart Bowes

"Driving into the Canberra this afternoon I had a warm feeling deep down, a feeling of returning to an event that I really enjoy," commented Middleton yesterday afternoon. "We've always done really well in Canberra, we won our class here four years straight ('90, '91, '92, and '93) when we were driving the 1300cc Daihatsu Charades, so it will certainly be interesting tackling roads I know so well in a totally different car!"

Middleton's approach to the 3-Day International has been methodical, the team suffered a few problems in Perth only 4 weeks ago, yet determination and dedication from the team has seen the car overhauled and rebuilt in time for the rally. "We had a few minor problems in Perth, namely we brought tyres that didn't suit the conditions. Of the tyres that were perfect for the road surfaces we only had 4!" said Middleton. "Of all the events I've ever prepared for in my rally career, this event would have to be the one that we put the most time and effort into!"

"We've stripped and rebuilt both our main and spare gearboxes as well as putting a brand new centre diff in the main box and we've had the struts fully overhauled and rebuilt by Jamie Drummond," stated Brett. "On top of that we've got more tyres than you can poke a stick at, nearly 40 in total!!"

While Middleton is confident that the car is ready for the challenging Canberra stages, he has had to alter his mental approach to the event. While Brett's style lends itself heavily towards the sprint Super Series Rounds of the Australian Championship, the FAI Rally of Canberra runs under FIA rules, each of the 3 days of competition builds towards a total overall placing. "Our main aim is to set a steady pace. In the past in Canberra you don't have to go ballistic to do extremely well, you just have to be consistent and with the Honda and the Daihatsu's in the past that allowed us to do that," explained Brett. "The event is long enough to really show who has prepared their cars properly and the ones who haven't as well as the ones who are driving sensibly and the ones who are taking the risks!"

Photo Courtesy of Stuart Bowes

"Our attitude is simple, were here to learn more about the car and to hopefully finish well. I'm not out to set the world on fire!" added Brett. "Above that we've got to finish without taking any unnecessary risks, Rally QLD is only 4 weeks after this event and then we've got the next round of the NSW Rally Championship in Bega the following weekend."

The rally will also be used as a product launching pad for team sponsors Citibank Ready Credit and Quicktrack while Middleton will launch his own online e-commerce store. www.MRTrally.com.au/shop "We've brought both companies together because Citibank have a product that Quicktrack can use and Quicktrack have a product that Citibank can use!" commented Brett. "The profile of Canberra being a Round of the Asia-Pacific Championship and the work that the organisers have put into to produce such a great rally is the perfect opportunity to market such quality products to such a large audience."

The Rally of Canberra starts from Parliament House at 10.30am Friday, 5 May, finishing at 3.00pm on Sunday, 7 May.

For more on the rally of Canberra refer to www.ROC.com.au or www.rally.com.au

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