Local driver, Tom Wilde, is looking to make history next month by winning back-to-back titles in Western Australia’s round of the ECB Australian Rally Championship, Quit Forest Rally. The feat hasn’t been achieved by a West Australian since Ross Dunkerton in 1977/78.
Things have changed for Wilde, who lives in Busselton and has a business in Nannup, since he won the four-wheel drive category last year. He is now driving a two-wheel drive, left-hand drive Renault Clio, fresh from France. He is also working with a new co-driver in fellow West Australian Bill Hayes.
However, he is determined to do well at his home rally, saying it is the one he always wants to win and going back-to-back would be a dream.
“At Forest Rally I think I have a good chance of winning… I know the roads well,” said Wilde.
“You have to run your own race over here (Western Australia) because generally there aren’t a lot of times you get through both heats unscathed, without flats or spins. You have to set a good pace and keep it clean.
“It’s a rally I know, so I’m confident to push hard.”
The first round of the ARC, the National Capital Rally, was run last week and straight out of the box Wilde and his Clio managed third on Saturday. Unfortunately there were some issues on Sunday, which has left him in fifth position in the championship coming into the WA round.
“The new car is really good – it’s quite easy to drive once you get your head around it,” Wilde said. “You have to drive it more aggressively, but also have a bit more up your sleeve as you don’t have the four-wheel drive to pull you out of the corners.
“To make the car work you have to drive it hard, and it’s fun to drive because of that.
“The left-hand drive was worrying me before, but as soon as I got in, there were no worries at all, it felt natural.”
With only two days of testing before the National Capital Rally, Wilde was impressed with the Clio’s pace, which kept the winning Honda Jazz of Eli Evans in check.
“The Honda has been in the championship three years now, so it’s working right,” Wilde said. “One rally and the Renault is up with the pace already.”
Wilde plans to do some more testing before Quit Forest Rally and, with Hayes, will write new pace notes, though the course of the rally is not changing for 2013.
Quit Forest Rally is the second round of the ARC and the first of the West Australian Rally Championship and runs through Busselton and Nannup in Western Australia from April 5 to 7.
It is anticipated 15 crews will be heading from interstate to compete in the ARC component of the event as well as attracting national entrants for the ARC Side-by-Side for All-Terrain vehicles competition. Running at the rear of the rally is a category for Motos – bikes and quads.
For those looking to enter, head to www.rally.com.au to download the entry form. Entries and are limited to 100 vehicles and close Thursday March 14, 8pm (WST).