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Back to October 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 15-10-2012 at 01:00: Reeves Holds Second In WRC Academy | |
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On Friday’s opening day, the pair headed off on SS2, WRC Academy stage one, with an opportunity to catch championship leader Elfyn Evans, however not long into the stage the duo picked up a puncture. After stopping to change the wheel, which they did in two minutes, they dropped from third to sixth and the fight was now on to gain some points to stay second in the championship. With the remainder of Friday stages Reeves and Smyth fought hard to get back in touch with the front running teams. Setting consistently good stage times the pair won the final stage of the day, the Super Special at Mulhouse. They finished the day in fifth place. “We didn’t start off too well today (Friday) with a puncture on the first stage [SS2].” Reeves said. “I’m not sure what it was – just a small cut on the tyre. But we re-grouped and have set some really good times. We were really close to the top and then we got a stage win on the last one – it is only a short stage, but still a championship point. “We have eight new dry-tyres for tomorrow (Saturday) now and 190 km so we should be in a good position. The tyres didn’t really wear much today (Friday) but it was completely dry in some places and really muddy in others. “On some of the new stages the pacenotes weren’t great, but we improved our times a lot on the second pass. “It has been tricky, but we are still enjoying it a lot.” Saturday would consist of a further eight stages where the pair would have the chance to show their speed and work at catching the top runners. Reeves said he was aiming to maintain his speed and consistency and put in a strong finish. The rally threw another curve ball at the Aussie battlers as two of the morning’s four stages were cancelled. One stage was stopped due to an accident and the other due to excessive crowds – so at the midday service the pair remained fifth. The afternoon’s stages were good for Reeves with a couple of top-three stage times, and he and Smyth finished the rally in fourth place. The 12 championship points earned in the hard fort battle was enough to retain second outright in the WRC Academy title. Welshman Elfyn Evans won the event and in doing so secured the 2012 WRC Academy title. Reeves will head into the final round, Rally Spain, just two points ahead of Jose Suarez in the battle for second. Despite his disappointment at not finishing on the podium, Reeves was happy to retain his position in the Championship. “It was a tricky day. We started back in sixth position, trying to claw our way back from the puncture yesterday. But we pushed on and set some really good stage times. Pontus [Tidemand] and I had a really great battle and then Fredrik [Åhlin] came in on it as well which was good fun. “We’re improving all the time, but it is just not consistent enough yet. We need to be more consistent on the variety of surfaces because there are five or six types of roads on one stage here and in the more open stuff we’re still not getting it quite right. But we’re working on it!” More time spent testing and competing in European events would certainly help the determined Aussie duo who have proven they have what it takes to get to the next level, but funding is essential to ensure they can take the next step. Reeves and Smyth returned to Australia early last week and the next event on their schedule is the Coffs Coast Rally, a round of the Australian Rally Championship, where they will drive the zero car. Results, Rally France (WRC Academy) 1. Elfyn Evans, 25 points WRC Academy standings after Rally France 1. Elfyn Evans, 126 points |
The battle to finish at the front was a challenge for Australian due Brendan Reeves and Rhianon Smyth as their rally was nearly over after special stage two.^ Back to top ^
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