Brendan and Rhianon set to make history in Spain

Brendan and Rhianon will return to Europe again this week to contest the final round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Academy series in Spain.

The brother and sister have shown a massive improvement in their second year in the junior championship and are looking to finish the year on a high.

In the five rounds already completed this year, Brendan and Rhianon have finished on the podium on three occasions and narrowly missed a fourth podium on the tricky Rally Germany. A number of stages wins against their more experienced rivals has also been a positive for the young Australians, and their result on the final round in Spain could see some new records set.

Whilst the 2012 WRC Academy title has already been wrapped up by Welshman Elfyn Evans, Brendan sits in second place, just two points ahead of Spaniard Jose Suarez. Providing Brendan finishes the event ahead of the Spaniard, he'll take second outright in the championship. This would make him the highest placed Australian driver ever in any World Rally Championship series.

Rhianon, meanwhile, has the chance to also make history. She currently leads the co-drivers' championship as Evans has changed co-drivers during the season. A good finish in Spain should see her take the co-drivers' title and become the first Australian to win a World Rally Championship title - an outstanding effort after just two years on the international rally scene.

Brendan and Rhianon would also be the highest placed brother and sister team in any WRC series in history.

Brendan and Rhianon's achievements are even more impressive given the efforts required to get to each event. Their main rivals all live in Europe or the UK and regularly compete in local rallies in cars similar to, or the same as, their WRC Academy cars.

For the Victorian residents just to get to each rally, they have to travel from Australia and usually only have a short test in a similar car a couple of days prior to the event. This, too, depends on fundraising efforts, as hiring a car for a 100km test costs between $5000 and $10,000 per event.

Rhianon has been the driving force behind the pair's fundraising efforts this year. She has organised a number of auctions on Facebook and the pair have also sold space on the bonnet of their Ford Fiesta R2 rally car for supporter's names, and together with sponsorship, this has enabled them to raise enough money to compete in the Championship.

After a stellar season in 2012, Brendan and Rhianon are hoping to again compete in the World Rally Championship next year and they are currently looking at a number of options to further their careers.

Funding will play a big part in their plans and anyone interested in sponsoring the talented young duo would be most welcome.

At just 24 years of age, Brendan is one of the hottest young drivers around and with an experienced co-driver in Rhianon alongside him, this fast family from Wedderburn is determined to make it to the top in the World Rally Championship.