Eli's New Honda Civic Type R Arrives in OZ

TULLAMARINE, AUSTRALIA – January 25, 2010: To most people, December 25 is when they receive that long awaited present, but for Melbourne rally driver Eli Evans, a bleak rainy January day in Melbourne was like Christmas Day.

Inside a dull red shipping container at Honda Australia HQ was his new toy, an Italian J.A.S Motorsport-built Honda Civic Type R for his assault on the 2010 Australian Rally Championship.

On seeing the car Eli remarked, “It looks fast even sitting still!” Slipping behind the wheel, he said it fitted like a glove and immediately felt like home.

“I can hardly wait to drive it,” he added and with the first shakedown due to take place on February 11, Eli doesn’t have too many sleeps to go before he drives the car he hopes will catapult him to his first ARC crown.

The first round of the Australian Rally Championship is a tarmac event based in Burnie, Tasmania from February 26 to 28.