Back-to-back VRC wins for Reeves

Brendan Reeves has backed up his win at the Ada River Rally with victory at the Gippsland Rally this weekend after a strong performance.

Reeves and co-driver Alex Gelsomino contested The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally, round 3 of the Victorian Rally Championship, in Reeves’ Datsun 1600, and, just as he did in round 2 of the series, Reeves finished on the top step of the podium.

 

Sun, rain, fog and dust challenged crews throughout the day’s eight stages but Reeves was up to the task.

 

Heat 1 of the day’s action started from Heyfield in eastern Victoria with dry and sunny conditions before crews tackled some fast and twisty stages.  The roads on stage 2 were muddy and slippery thanks to overnight rain but it was on stage 3 that the conditions were trickiest.

 

 

The stage ran across the top of a mountain range, around 900 metres above sea level, and thick fog made visibility difficult.  Reeves had to be 100% committed to the pace notes that he and Gelsomino had written ahead of the event.

 

After descending the mountain on stage 4, Reeves and Gelsomino headed into the mid-day service break in second place behind Justin Dowel (Mitsubishi Mirage Proto).

 

Stages five to eight, which made up Heat 2, were a repeat of the morning’s four stages and whilst the pair knew what was ahead of them, surprisingly on Stage 7 (a repeat of stage 3), the fog had become even thicker so conditions were no easier.

 

Nevertheless, with the Datsun running perfectly and Reeves and Gelsomino working well together in the car, the brothers-in-law finished the afternoon stages in first place, just one second ahead of Danny Traverso (Lancer Evo 9).

 

Reeves’ top finish in his classic Datsun 1600 made his result all the more impressive. 

 

 

With their second place in Heat 1 and first place in Heat 2, Reeves and Gelsomino took the overall honours in the Victorian Rally Championship placings.  Their victory now sees Reeves leading the Victorian Rally Championship after three rounds.

 

“It feels great to win here today,” Reeves said.  “We pushed really hard out there on the stages but it felt really comfortable and the car ran perfectly.”

 

Final Results: The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally, Round 3 Victorian Rally Championship

 

1. Brendan Reeves / Alex Gelsomino, Datsun 1600

2. Danny Treviso / A. Carr, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9

3. Warren (Wal) Lee / David Leathlean, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9

 

Photos: Wishart Media

 

See more photos of Brendan Reeves and Alex Gelsomino from the event here.