The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Hyundai i30 Wins The Battle Of The Family Cars


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

SYDNEY – Aug 2, 2010: The Hyundai Team Rallye i30 CRDi turbo-diesel has claimed victory in the battle of the P4-Class at the International Rally of Queensland.

The Hyundai Genuine Parts and Accessories sponsored team put in an inspired drive, beating a high powered V8 Holden Commodore to take out the P4-Class title over the weekend. In addition to the ‘family car’ battle, the i30 CRDi also brought home trophies for first place in the ‘Showroom Class’, ‘Eco-Rally Challenge Class’ and topped it off with a highly respectable second place in the ‘2WD Championship’, finishing with outright eighth place at the ARC on the weekend.

Relishing the conditions, Hyundai Team Rallye took to the forests on Saturday morning with an increased sense of purpose and determination to push the i30 for extra speed. First day results were very encouraging with the team achieving a new top speed of 155km/hr helping them secure a significant lead in the morning stages.

Driver Mick Gillett conceded the early stages were challenging for the larger vehicles. “Stage One was obviously tough for all of the competitors particularly the larger cars,” he said. “The i30 is far more nimble in those conditions, and we were able to capitalise on that advantage and take nearly two minutes off the leader’s time by the end of Stage Two. We pushed the i30, and it delivered.”

By the end of day one, the i30 CRDi had built up more than a five minute lead over other competitors in its class, but it wasn’t all easy going for Team Hyundai Rallye. “I think we hit every rock, hole and gutter today but the i30 certainly proved its strength and resilience,” said co-driver Harvey Smith. “We had no issues with the car at all, only some tyre damage on Stage Six as a result of a heavy impact with a large rock that had slipped into a gutter.”

On day two, the i30 increased its lead over the Commodore to an outstanding ten minutes and maintained an unassailable lead in the endurance event. Once again, the Hyundai i30 was one of only 11 ARC cars to finish the gruelling 269km of competitive stages, showing its class and durability in the long-form of rallying.

“With three finishes in a row, we’ve shown the Hyundai i30 turbo- diesel is ultra-reliable and the team is now really looking forward to the Victorian round of the ARC in November. We really feel we are working well together in the car, gaining more speed with every competitive kilometre travelled,” said Gillett. “The professionalism of the support teams at each event means we can concentrate on the race and bringing home these great results.”

The final round of the Australian Rally Championship will be held from Saturday 13th to Sunday 13th November, in Drouin in the foothills of Mount Baw Baw, part of the West Gippsland Neerim district of Victoria.