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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Pirtek Rally Team Completes Rally Queensland

Staff, Tuesday June 20, 2006.

Page 1 of 1

Heat #1 of the rally was won by Simon Evans; with Scott Pedder winning heat #2 - Evans took overall honours.

In just its third event, the Ford Focus duo of Michael Guest and co-driver Mark Stacey enjoyed a faultless run in heat #1, with only some minor mechanical repairs required during heat #2.

A stronger finish in heat #2 was on the cards, but two spins on separate stages cost the Pirtek Rally Team around four positions.

Up against all-wheel-drive turbo-charged competitors, the rear-wheel-drive non-turbo Focus held its own on the technical stages around the Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Imbil.

The twisty switch-back sections proved a tough challenge for all crews, not just the Pirtek Rally Team, with Michael Guest exhausted after two days of tough competition.

"This has been a really encouraging weekend for everyone involved," said Guest.

"After a non-finish in Canberra and a retirement on the Sunday morning in Western Australia, we really wanted to bring it home in Queensland. I've never felt so relieved to finish in 10th and 14th!

"I had a pretty good weekend at the wheel. I do feel that I've earned my pay as I worked very hard. That spins were frustrating. On both occasions I tried to re-start the car straight away, but with the hot engine it took a while to fire it up. If that's the only disappointment from the weekend, I'll take it.

"The car was really good this weekend, I could really stretch its legs and feel confident in its reliability. On the switch-back stages of Queensland we were fully aware of the challenge, but we gave it everything. The car's improved so much since Canberra and the next rally in Tasmania will suit us a lot better."

Pirtek Rally Team Technical Director Steve Hoinville was pleased with the weekend.

"This weekend showed the Focus is a strong and reliable package," said Hoinville.

"Finishing this weekend has put a big tick in a box. I was pleased with how the team prepared the car and then worked throughout the weekend.

"Saturday was excellent with no major technical issues. We did change a strut top at the end of that leg as it broke right at the end of the day. For heat #2 we had to change a broken suspension strut as well as a strut top and oil cooler, but we never incurred any time penalties.

"We are also pleased with the performance from the Hankook Tyres. We have made gains in making those tyres work better and in all conditions we have had no punctures.

"We are aiming at running a new engine this week on the dyno back in Melbourne, and then we have a two-day test planned before the next event in Tasmania.

"We'll confirm all that upon our return and after we go over the car. I must say that everyone is buoyed at the moment, and we are looking forward to crossing Bass Strait and stages that we feel will suit us a lot better."

Ford Racing Manager Ray Price praised the Pirtek Rally Team's efforts.

"This was an important milestone to get for the team," said Price.

"No where else in the world is a program like this happening, so for our dedicated group of engineers and technicians I'm especially pleased.

"Michael drove really well and I have no doubt that we can look forward to improved performances.

"Again in the forests and roads around the Sunshine Coast Ford had plenty of support. It's great to see those enthusiasts out there cheering us on."

The Tasmanian Safari outside of Hobart will be run 15-16 July.

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