MRT Crashes out of Falken Rally Qld

Team News from MRT

MRT Crashes out of Falken Rally Qld

After making some changes to the Suspension of his Citybank Ready Credit supported Sanyo WRX STi the MRT team were extremely confident.

Setting times in the first two stages faster than the previous day, they stamped their intentions on SS3 with 4th fastest outright. "We are so close to having the car handle the way I want, and this is now showing in the times we are setting" Brett said.

After a service at Imbil the team set another blistering time with a 5th outright and continuing to peg back Privateers leader Spencer Lowndes, (6 seconds in front)

"I was a little too cautious on the long "New traverse" stage on Saturday and as this was to be the turning point of the rally we needed to be in a strong position" Unfortunately this was not the case.

The MRT crew were well on the pace 5 km into the stage and where the longer part of the stage starts from the similar repeated shorter "Barumba" stage, at this point the road is extremely slippery as its almost completely covered in long grass, over a crest the road goes left and the team ran wide clipped a bank and shot off into a tree.

"I have a habit of hitting trees in pine plantations, although this was over 10 years ago now at Wagga Wagga," Brett said. "The road had a very grippy track from cars yesterday and once off this, the car just kept sliding" he added

The car took a hard hit straight on, and has smashed the camshaft and timing belt assembly, however the STi / PBM prepared Chassis has again proved extremely strong, and shows no signs of damage other than in front of the engine.

The ironic part is on sitting beside the crashed car Middleton found bumper, mudguard and side mirror parts off Spencer Lowndes Lancer , the very crew they were chasing, they later found out he had also had a big off damaging the car and forcing withdrawal from the stage and the event!

The car is already on its way back to MRT, parts have been ordered, and the teams panel beaters Premier Panel Beating, contacted.

Unfortunately the team will miss the comming SGI State Championship event at Bega next weekend, which they were obviously feeling very confident, plans are to have the car ready for the next ARC event, Rally NSW at Coffs harbour in 4 weeks time.

"We can be ready, the team is motivated as are our partners, people like Keith Byrne at Premier Panel know the importance of getting the car fixed fast, " Brett said.

"Well done to Cody and Greg they are setting a new level for all of us to chase!"

OUTRIGHT heat two
1st Possum Bourne Mark Stacey Impreza WRC
2nd Neal Bates Coral Taylor Corolla WRC
3rd Cody Crocker Greg Foletta Impreza STI Ver. 5
4th Ed Ordynski Ian Stewart Lancer EVO 6
5th Reece Jones Leo Bult Lancer EVO 6
6th Martin Lintott Tony Jackson Impreza STI Ver 5

OUTRIGHT OVERALL
=1st Possum Bourne Mark Stacey Impreza WRC AND
Neal Bates Coral Taylor Corolla WRC
3rd Cody Crocker Greg Foletta Impreza STI Ver 5
4th Ed Ordynski Ian Stewart Lancer EVO 6

OFF THE CUFF
I am finally feeling a little more relaxed with the car, the suspension 'tweaks' the crew made Saturday night absolutely transformed the car. I can now drive the car harder exiting the corners and this now shows in the stage times and also allows us to take advantage of the added grunt the car has over the group N cars that have been giving us a hiding!
I am really peeved off re the crash, the whole team have put in a lot of work with the car, the event, the whole effort and this is simply my fault and I am more sorry for them, than the scary repair bill I will have to pay in a few weeks time!

The Bega event was to be a great event, I honestly believed we could have won it easily, people like John Mitchell whom whilst driving well on the weekend at Qld, were well behind us and this is a indication of the pace of the SGI State Series, a bold statement yes, but the roads in Bega were well suited to the cars power and grip. We will start further up the field for Qld, as we have now set some consistent faster stage times and our seeding position will be changed.

Pelican Beach resort will again be supporting us, so I welcome you to come and stay, and enjoy the event as well as the NSW resort facilities of Coffs Harbour, see our team info "where we stay" for resort details, Brian Bowers the manager will look after you!

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