Orange & Ice Prove Subaru All-Wheel Drive Nice

Subaru do's Orange Motorsport-prepared All-Wheel Drive WRX STI Production Rally Car

2019 Subaru Rally Tasmania 5An icy start to Subaru Rally Tasmania has tested the best in Heat 1 of the third round of the 2019 CAMS Australian Rally Championship.

Subaru do Motorsport team finished the heat in second place overall after negative temperatures literally proved a spin-out for some competitors this morning.

Subaru do’s Orange Motorsport-prepared All-Wheel Drive WRX STI Production Rally Car (PRC) class entry, was a potent package in the hands of Molly Taylor and co-driver Malcolm Read.

Following last night’s Inveresk Super Special Stage, just minutes from the heart of Launceston – the rally’s shortest at just 0.80 of a kilometre – the Subaru do pair remained a model of consistency, achieving five second places across the five morning stages.

That was despite a spin on SS2 – literally an icy wake-up call for Taylor and Read as strong sunlight and shadows played optical tricks on competitors with still cold tyres, eager to evaluate whether water or ice was on their approaches.

After midday service, the Subaru do confidence continued, with second on SS7, the repeat of the morning Mount Barrow stage.

2019 Subaru Rally Tasmania 5

With a thaw in the air, Taylor and Read were determined to consolidate Heat 1 honours, with one eye on also strengthening their second-place Championship standing.

The second run through the long Mount Scott Stage perhaps gave the best indication of Subaru do improvement – more than 20 seconds better than their morning run on the Heat’s longest stage (19.04 km).

A fourth, third and second placing across the balance of the stages was sufficient to ensure their overall second place.

Molly said: “It was a tough morning. The conditions were pretty crazy with really good grip on some sections and sheet ice on others, which wasn’t always obvious.

“Today has proved the benefit of pre-event testing and we really began to see that as the morning went on, giving us the confidence to take it up to the next level of the car’s and our ability.

“The spin on this morning’s first stage cost us five or six seconds and at first it was really hard to get heat into the rear tyres with the surface being so cold, but we certainly built momentum throughout the day, so it’s been a productive, if chilly, exercise.

“Obviously we’re keen to do well on the home turf of Craig Brooks and the Orange Motorsport team, and so far we’re on track.”

Tomorrow’s Heat 2 covers an additional six competitive stages across 97.6 competitive kilometres and concludes with a ceremonial finish at Inveresk at 4.30pm.

2019 Subaru Rally Tasmania 2

SUBARU RALLY TASMANIA

*Subject to CAMS confirmation

Heat 1

  1. BATES/McCARTHY, Toyota Yaris AP4, 1:11:07.8
  2. TAYLOR/READ, Subaru WRX STI,1:12:43.5, +01:35.7 
  3. BATES/McLOUGHLIN, Toyota Yaris AP4, 1:13:39.4+02:31.6

2019 CAMS AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR

  1. Forest Rally, Busselton, WA – 5-7 April
  2. National Capital Rally, Canberra, ACT – 10-11 May
  3. Subaru Rally Tasmania, Launceston, TAS – 21-23 June
  4. Eureka Rally, Ballarat, VIC – 24-25 August
  5. Adelaide Hills Rally, Adelaide Hills, SA – 20-22 September
  6. Rally Australia, Coffs Harbour, NSW – 15-17 November
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About Rob Fraser 2507 Articles
Rob Fraser – General dogsbody & Director Rob is the founder of the business. He constantly mutters something about way too many red wines one evening being to blame. Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive. He first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then. In addition to 4WD he is an avid motoring enthusiast and has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since his teens. He has owned way too many cars in his time as well. Having previously lived at the top of corporate life he retired in 2000 and hasn’t put a suit and tie on since. Cars are his passion so why not have a business doing what you love he figures. He has towed either a caravan or camper trailer to most parts of Australia, has run guided tours for camper trailers’ and instructed drivers in off road towing.