Twenty year old Victorian, Brendan Reeves, has completed another successful weekend’s rallying, taking out the title of Australia’s Pirelli Star Driver, after finishing Rally Queensland as the top points-earner of the four contestants.
Starting Sunda’s Heat Two one point clear of Eli Evans, Reeves and co-driver, Glen Weston, were determined to continue on from where they left off yesterday, and they did just that, trading stage wins with Evans in the first three stages of the day.
SS12 caused a couple of anxious moments, though, when a flat tyre cost the pair a minute and half. Even more drama was to take place in the same stage, when water ingested whilst crossing a water splash killed Evans’ engine, and forced his retirement from the event.
Reeves was then able to ease off the pace secure in the knowledge the Pirelli Star Driver title was his. Despite failing to finish the last three stages, Evans still finished as the second PSD entrant. Both drivers will now head to Australia’s round of the World Rally Championship, Repco Rally Australia, in September to contest the Asia Pacific shoot out. The overall winner will then earn a fully funded drive in six rounds of the 2010 Production World Rally Championship.
“We had another great day today,” Reeves said. “I am stoked to win the Pirelli Star Driver title and am really looking forward to competing against the region’s best drivers in Rally Australia. It was a shame Eli couldn’t finish today, but he and I had a great battle all weekend and it is fitting that he still accumulated enough points to also qualify for the shoot out.”
“Glen did a great job this weekend. We worked really well together and it was great to achieve what we came here for – first place in the Pirelli Star Driver competition.”
Photo: Hubble Photografix and Alan MacDonald