Brendan rapt with rally return

It may not have been the drama-free event that he was hoping for but Brendan Reeves had a fantastic day at the Western Victorian Crane Trucks Valley Stages rally on Sunday.

After a last minute decision not to enter his Datsun 1600, Brendan was offered the chance to drive Craig Jarvie’s Truline Commodore in which he contested the event in 2018.  A big effort from a number of people late on Saturday night had the Commodore ready to go on the start line on Sunday morning.

The first stage of the rally started well but overheating issues meant that Brendan and co-driver, Kate Catford, had to return to the service park to make some minor changes.

With a new fan fitted, the pair were able to tackle the afternoon’s four stages and complete the event.

“We had a lot of fun driving the V8 Commodore on the wet and slippery roads,” Brendan said. “It’s a shame we missed a few stages but that’s rallying.  We had done no testing in the Commodore but it’s great fun to drive and I was rapt when Craig offered me the chance to drive it again.

“Kate did a fantastic job in the co-driver’s seat, especially as this was our first event together.”

It’s been a long time between events thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and Brendan was full of praise for the Nissan Car Club, and director Craig Jarvie, who organised and ran the rally under very difficult circumstances.

“To even be able to compete in a rally in Victoria in 2020 was amazing,” he said.  “The event had been rescheduled a couple of times due to the pandemic so it was a fantastic feeling to finally get to the start line.  A huge thanks must go to everyone involved in putting on such a great event.”

Photo: Matthew Whitten