MRT to miss Rally of Queensland
Middleton Rally Team will be missing from this weekends Falken Tyres Rally of Queensland, third round of the 2002 championship. The team are still racing to repair damage to their Citibank Ready Credit WRX, following last months Subaru International Rally of Canberra.
Damage following a highly televised roll over at the main spectator point in Kowen Forest has proved more extensive than first thought. The roll was very slow, however the car actually slid along the road on both sides for some distance, meaning that almost every panel has been replaced by Premier Panel Beating. “The worst thing is that not only was it in front of 5000+ spectators and television cameras, it was almost straight in front of our own service crew” commented team driver Brett Middleton.
The car was quickly pushed back onto it’s wheels by officials, and the MRT crew and raced off to finish the stages. However the bonnet stay had been shaken loose and jammed in the power steering belts, causing more damage to the engine. Added to this the car landed heavily further damaging the chassis.
The
crew have been working flat out to repair the damage, however time has finally
run out, and the team reluctantly withdrew their entry from the Queensland
event. “It is very disappointing, particularly as this rally is supported by one
of the teams main partners Falken Tyres” said co-driver Andrew Benefield.
“However, the next event in Adelaide was very muddy last year and we have a new Falken Tyre especially for that event”
Last year MRT put in one of their best results, in slippery and treacherous
conditions on the roads above Adelaide, so will be looking forward to rejoining
the action of the Australian Rally Championship in July
|
|
HOME |
Copyright © 1995-2004. All
rights reserved.
MRT Performance - ABN 69 198 394 100
EMAIL: info@mrtrally.com.au PHONE: (02)
9767 4545.
