Brendan ready to tackle American stages

Australian rally team, Brendan Reeves and Rhianon Smyth, will take on the best of the US when they contest the Oregon Trail Rally, round 3 of the Rally America Series, in Portland this weekend. Driving a Ford Fiesta R2 for Team O'Neil, Brendan and Rhianon will make their US debut in the event and are hoping to take out 2WD honours.

After a busy week of pre-rally activities which included recconaissance on Wednesday and a fan appreciation day and press stage on Thursday, the rally kicks off on Friday with four runs of the Super Special Stage. With a population in Oregon of 4 million, there are bound to be huge crowds at the rally opener and the brother-sister duo are keen to impress and start the event as they intend to finish - fast!

The forest stages of the Oregon Trail Rally commence on Saturday with eight stages, followed by another five stages on Sunday. In total, the event will cover just over 110 miles (180 kilometres) over 17 stages.

Despite not testing in the car prior to the rally, Brendan is confident his experience of driving a Fiesta R2 in the World Rally Championship (WRC) Academy for the past two years will help him settle into the driver's seat easily.

"I'm excited to get back into the Fiesta R2 and drive for Team O'Neil. I get to turn the wheel for the first time on Thursday (US time)," Brendan said.

"This is my first time competing in the States and I can't wait for the challenge. We saw the roads on recce today and they are a big mix of twisty and fast stages but its very dry out there and rocky, too, so the rally will be a great battle."

Brendan and Rhianon are grateful to all their sponsors and supporters for making their entry in the Oregon Trail Rally possible.

We'll have updates on Brendan and Rhianon's progress during the Oregon Trail Rally on the website and on Facebook and Twitter.