Busselton driver eyes the Quit prize

Petrol heads from all over Australia will descend on Busselton and Nannup today for the start of the Quit Forest Rally.

Former two-time State champion Leigh Hynes is among an impressive line up ready to battle it out on the notorious ball bearing gravel.

The Busselton driver said he would not hold back in the quest to claw back his National Rally Series title, having narrowly missed out last year.

“The car’s even faster this year because we’re running in the four-wheel-drive class so we’ve got an extra 40bhp,” Hynes said.

“It’s a massive boost and we’re hoping to win on our home turf, if we can just see off our main competition from Alex Stone and John Macara. You never know what to expect with the Quit – rocks on the track, trees, kangaroos, anything can happen.”

Hynes said the biggest thrills from the spectators’ point of view would be in the two-wheeldrive class, where Busselton’s Tom Wilde will try to claim top spot on the podium for the second year running.

Clubman driver Andy van Kahn from Dunsborough, Nannup newcomer Cameron Tunstall, Busselton’s Matt Snaddon and Nannup young gun Alex Lorkiewicz complete the local line up.

Clerk of course Ross Tapper said the shift to allow only two-wheel-drive vehicles to contest the Australian Rally Championship meant the stage was set for a thrilling weekend of adrenalinefuelled unpredictability.

“The two-wheel-drive will be exciting to watch because they tend to go into corners much quicker so expect some spills there,” Tapper said.

“We’ve got a good mix, different makes, including guys who have just scraped together enough money to take on the big boys.”

He said the rally attracted two hours of national TV coverage bringing good exposure for the region.

Busselton will be transformed into a mini Monaco this evening for the Super Special Stage around Barnard Park from 6pm.

“Come down and witness the motos, quads and side-by-sides all racing together for the first time ever and make sure you bring the kids,” Tapper said.