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WEEKS CLOSES ON SECOND WIN AS CLASSIC ADELAIDE HEADS FOR FINAL DAY
PORSCHE driver Kevin Weeks closed in on his goal of a second straight Classic Adelaide win after another dominant performance on the second-last day of the international tarmac rally in the Adelaide Hills today.
After leading throughout the first two days, Weeks and co-driver Bec Crunkhorn conceded stage wins to Jim Richards, Tim Possingham, Bill Pye and Ian Wilson but still increased their overall lead to 25.5 seconds sec. from an overnight margin of 16.1 sec.
Wheat farmer Pye and co-driver Grant Geelan, also in a Porsche, successfully defended their second place from Wilson and Jahmeil Taylor, in a Triumph TR7 V8.
Good crowds turned out today to watch the cars and crews including motorsport world champions Sir Jack Brabham and Mick Doohan race through eight stages, which finished with the exciting 13.2 kilometre Gorge Road.
There were thousands also in a party mood in the township of Macclesfield, where a brass band played, charity groups cooked barbecues and all the cars lined up at lunchtime in the closed main street.
Though hard-fought, Week’s battle to defend his lead in the outright Competition-Late Classic category had little on the intensity in Competition-Classic, where Rick Bates and Cameron Wearing at one point were separated by just 0.7 sec. in the overall standings.
In vastly different cars, Wearing from Adelaide and Bates from Canberra re-played the fight that finally went the local’s way in 2007.
Wearing heads into the final day with a 31.1 sec. advantage.
In Competition-Historic, John and Andrew Lawson from Victoria treated spectators to the sight and sound of a true classic as their 1938 Alfa Romeo 6C Mille Miglia Special motored to an unchallenged lead.
The day’s competition was shortened by the deletion of Special Stage 20, Basket Range, after a crash had caused the event to run late.
Perth driver Kim Stewart ,49, was airlifted to hospital with leg injuries after his 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 hit a steel power pole. Co-driver Frank Zanotti, 55, was not injured.
In other incidents, Adelaide surgeon Randall Sach rolled his 1968 Jaguar E-Type and a farmer was reported to have prevented a driver leaving after his car careered into an apple orchard.
South Australian Steve Glenney, the 2008 Targa Tasmania winner, returned to the event in strong form after sitting out yesterday with a blown engine, but is out of contention for a high placing.
Eight stages are scheduled for the final day tomorrow, with the first cars due to finish the rally around 2 pm in the city’s East Terrace, near the landmark Stag Hotel.
The cars will be on show at Strathalbyn during morning tea from 10.30 am and at the McLarens on the Lake lunch stop, from 12.30 pm.
Comprehensive information for Classic Adelaide spectators, including maps and times, is available on the event website, www.classicadelaide.com.au.
RESULTS – DAY THREE, provisional (sponsored by Malaysia Airlines)
Late Classic (1972-1990)
Kevin Weeks/Bec Crunkhorn (SA, 1975 Porsche 911 RS)
Bill Pye/Grant Geelan (NSW, 1974 Porsche 911 RS) 25.5 sec. behind leader
Ian Wilson/Jahmiel Taylor (SA, 1978 Triumph TR7 V8) 54.3 sec. sec. behind leader
Classic (1948-1971)
Cameron Wearing/Ben Fitzsimons (SA, 1971 Ford Capri Perana)
Rick Bates/Jenny Brittain (ACT, 1971 Porsche 911) 31.1 sec. behind leader
Rob Devenish/Lyn Carr (Vic., 1971 Datsun 240Z) 4 min. 38.9 sec. behind leader
Historic (1900-1947)
John Lawson/Andrew Lawson (Vic, 1938 Alfa Romeo)
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