March 13^th, 2003

Twin Toyotas to run in the Forest

TTR: Those are — for the moment — the most exciting initials on the Australian rally scene.

Of course, they stand for the just-launched Toyota Team Racing and the team's cars will make their official debut in Western Australia and the Respect Yourself Forest Rally on March 28.

TTR will contest the Australian Rally Championship in 2003 with two Corolla Sportivos, to be driven by multiple Australian champion Neal Bates and his twin brother Rick. 

At right is the first of them, without TTR warpaint, driven by Neal Bates in last year's  Rally Of Melbourne.

Forest Rally director Ross Tapper said the two Corollas would add a lot of interest to the big WA event.

“Toyota has been conspicuous by its absence,” said Tapper.

“But it’s back with a tremendous team that should give our event in Busselton a huge boost — and the Mitsubishi and Subaru teams real worries.

“Neal and Rick are both tarmac experts, so their runs at the Busselton Toyota Super Stage could be something special.“

Also running in the Forest will be Juha Kangas, of Finland, the first Scandinavian driver to compete here in several years.

Kangas has had stints with Mitsubishi Ralliart, Prodrive and Suzuki in the past few years and he will drive a Les Walkden Lancer Evo VII in the Forest.

Walkden said he was very pleased to have Kangas on the team.

“He’s a top driver with lots of world-class experience,” said Walkden.

“The car will arrive just a couple of days before our first round in Western Australia so it will be a big job to have it all ready for the Forest Rally.

“Our plan will be to go reasonably quietly for the first round and then improve the car before we go to the next round.”

The Finn is paired with the competent Julia Rabbett.

Meanwhile, the new TTR Corollas are the first cars built to the new Australian Super Series Group N Prototype regulations.

They use FIA Group N homologated Celica GT-Four ST205 engines and 4WD running rear and suspension in Corolla bodies. The cars crank out 180kW and 400Nm of torque and drive to all wheels is via a viscous-proportioning centre differential and rear limited slip diff.

Neal Bates, who began his association with Toyota in 1987, is regarded as one of Australia's most talented drivers and won the Australian Rally Championship in 1993, '94 and '95. The 2003 season will be his 10th year with co-driver Coral Taylor, Australia’s number one lady of motorsport.

Twin brother Rick is also a driver of international standing.

The 37 year-old has some big wins under his belt, among them the 1997 Panama to Alaska Rally and four successive class wins in the Bathurst 12-Hour. He is paired with Damien Long, one of Australia's most successful co-drivers.

The Respect Yourself Forest Rally starts from the Busselton foreshore at 6.00pm on March 28. That two-lap Super Stage on the foreshore has become a major crowd-puller and has generated a variety of family-oriented entertainment. Up to 10,000 people are expected.

Next day the action shifts to the Nannup forest area, covering more than 200km of competitive stages before finishing at the historic Nannup township on March 30.