Convincing win for Brendan at Eureka Rally

A clean sweep of all eight stages today has seen Brendan Reeves take a convincing Heat 2 win at the Eureka Rally in Ballarat.

Reeves was in fine form from the start of the rally’s opening stage yesterday, quickly finding the speed and consistency for which he is known. He and co-driver Ben Searcy held a 37.2 second lead over their nearest Victorian Rally Championship (VRC) competitor at the midday break.

With the morning’s five stages to be repeated again on the Saturday afternoon loop, Reeves again dominated in his Subaru WRX.  After another two stages he had increased his lead to almost a minute and a quarter.

Near the end of stage 8, however, the rear brake line began to wear on the wheel and Reeves was forced to retire from Heat 1.  It was a disappointing end to what was an impressive day’s performance.

Overnight, Reeves’ service crew replaced the brake line and made a few minor changes to the car before Heat 2 began this morning (Sunday).

Reeves quickly picked up from where he left off yesterday.  After the morning’s four stages he held a 48 second lead and increased this to 1:43.4 after repeating the stages again this afternoon.  Reeves’ times were so fast, he was quicker than the leading Australian Rally Championship (ARC) crews.

The Eureka Rally was a brand new event and Reeves relished the opportunity to drive on new roads.  

“The roads were fast and dry but quite abrasive, but they held up really well,” he commented.

“Congratulations to the organising team on providing competitors with an excellent event.”

Although conditions were hot and dry, dust wasn’t a problem for Reeves who, as the first VRC competitor on the road, had a five minute gap from the previous competitor, the final Classic crew.

As well as contesting a new rally, Reeves also had a new co-driver calling his pace notes this weekend, with Ben Searcy standing in for regular co-driver, Rhianon Gelsomino.

“Ben fitted in really well and we worked great as a team,” Reeves said.

“He adapted to my pace notes really quickly which makes my job as driver much easier.”

Reeves was rapt to have such a successful start to the first rally of the season and is looking forward to more time behind the wheel in the coming months, with his full rally program still to be finalised.

Reeves was once again supported by Rallyschool.com.au, Reeves Earthmoving, Exedy, Stedi, Project MU Racing, Bendigo Tyre Centre, Pirelli, Motul and Revolution Racegear.

Visit Brendan's Photo Gallery to browse photos from the event.