Puncture puts paid to Brendan's ARC title hopes

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Brendan Reeves and Rhianon Gelsomino have finished second outright in the 2014 ECB Australian Rally Championship (ARC) after placing fifth in Heat 2 of Rally Victoria today.


Going into today’s nine stage, Reeves and Gelsomino trailed championship leaders Scott Pedder and Dale Moscatt (Renault Clio) by 30 points and with 50 points on offer today, the title was still within their grasp.


The day didn’t start how they had hoped, though, with a puncture in their Rallyschool.com.au Mazda 2 on the opening stage of the day resulting in them losing over three minutes. Inspection of the car at the end of the stage confirmed that the rock had also cracked the wheel rim. Makeshift repairs on the side of the road meant the pair checked into the next start control four minutes late, incurring a 20 second penalty. This put them back to ninth place.


After a disappointing morning the Brendan and Rhianon were still determined to give it their all and of the afternoon’s five stages, Brendan won four, propelling he and Rhianon up to fifth overall. Second place in Heat 1 and fifth place in Heat 2 saw them finish the event third overall.


Pedder and Moscatt, who finished second in Heat 2, clinched the 2014 ARC title, with Brendan and Rhianon second, 44 points adrift.


Although disappointed with the dramas he had today, Brendan was still able to take some positives from the rally. “Rallying is a tough sport and although this morning had its challenges, we never gave up and kept pushing to the very last stage of the day,” he said.


“Our stage times this afternoon were really good so it was great to finish the event on a positive note. We also scored the most stage wins of the rally, so the result could have been very different.


“Congratulations to Scott and Dale on winning the Championship. They have had a great year and it’s been a tough battle between us all year. Scott has been rallying for a lot longer than me, so to be able to push him all the way has been really pleasing.”


Results, Heat 2, Rally Victoria


1. Mackenzie/Mackenzie, Ford Fiesta ST, 1:33:19.0
2. Pedder/Moscatt, Renault Clio R3, +28.0
3. Sullens/Barkley, Citroen DS3 R3T, +1:02.8
4. Coppin/Batten, Citroen DS3 R3T, +1:40.0
5. Reeves/Gelsomino, Mazda 2, +3:52.2

2014 ECB Australian Rally Championship*

1. Pedder/Moscatt
2. Reeves/Gelsomino
3. Coppin/Batten

*subject to confirmation

 

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