Honda Finishes On Top At National Capital Rally

CANBERRA – Marc 4, 2013: Eli Evans and Glen Weston have started 2013 on a high, claiming victory at the first round of the 2013 East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship in Canberra.

Evans and Weston dominated the 2012 competition in their Honda Jazz and after a challenging first round at the National Capital Rally, they have set the benchmark high.

“I’m very happy with the weekend’s outcome,” an elated Evans said. “National Capital Rally is known for being one of the toughest events of the calendar. The win is further proof that the Jazz are the best built cars in the championship.”

The National Capital Rally lived up to its reputation with some of the strongest participants suffering blown engines, clutch problems and flat tyres.

Evans and Weston had a great start claiming victory in the first stage with Scott Pedder and Jack Monkhouse battling out for second and third position.

A minor split in the power steering hose of Evans’ Jazz meant he had to drive eight kilometres of the second stage without any power steering.

Evans and Weston finished day one in second place with energy and motivation to push the Jazz hard on day two. They were on track for a podium win when late in the second last stage they knicked a rock and popped a tyre. Unsure how close behind the next cars were the decision was quickly made to keep driving on the flat for the two remaining kilometres of the stage.

They changed the flat and then drove the last stage as hard as they could, thundering home in first place almost a minute ahead of Scott Pedder, who placed second after meeting the same fateful rock.

The Honda Jazz of Mark Pedder and co-driver Claire Ryan finished fourth, ensuring the Hondas dominate.

The second round, the Quit Forest Rally of the East Coast Bullbars ARC takes crews to Western Australia’s Margaret River region, the coastal town of Busselton and the timber township of Nannup 5 to 7 April.