Bates, Taylor Maintain ARC Leadership despite eventful weekend at Queensland Rally.

The third race of the 2024 season marked the first time that featured two GR Yaris Rally2 cars with 2024 runners-up Lewis Bates and co-driver Anthony McLoughlin receiving their new 2024 car just ahead of the Queensland Rally, joining the Bates/Taylor Rally2 car they have campaigned since the start of the season.

It was a dramatic start to Rally Queensland, held near the Sunshine Coast around Gympie, with Harry and Coral crashing in the slippery first stage of the day, resulting in a DNF for Saturday’s Heat 1.

However following repairs to the Rally2’s left suspension, a strong performance on Sunday saw Harry and Coral win stage 12, 13 and the Galvanize Insurance Power stage, giving them a win in Heat 2 which saw them finish 6^th place overall.

Meanwhile, after coming 2nd in the first three stages of Heat 1, Lewis Bates suffered the worst crash of his career with a rollover that he and Anthony McLaughlin were able to walk away from, however the pair weren’t able to get their GR Yaris repaired in time for Heat 2 on Sunday.

Following the weekend’s results, Rally Queensland winner Scott Pedder closed the gap on Bates and Coral who still lead the 2024 ARC standings halfway through the season.

“Our weekend obviously got off to a poor start with an incident in the first stage of Heat 1, but it was a real credit to the Neal Bates Motorsport team to get the car ready in time for Sunday. We were able to build up some strong momentum in Heat 2 and it was certainly pleasing to win the Power Stage and Heat 2. With a tight race at the top of the ARC Championship table, we’re ready for an exciting second half of the season as we look to defend our title.”

Harry Bates

“Needless to say, it was a disappointing weekend for us after a really strong start on Saturday. Our new GR Yaris Rally2 was performing strongly before crashing, but luckily we escaped unharmed and the car will be fixed in time for the next round.”

Lewis Bates

“It wasn’t the weekend we were hoping for, but thankfully both cars will be ready in time for next round. Harry and Coral did enough on Sunday to retain the championship lead which was also a pleasing result.”

Neal Bates

The fourth round of the ARC will take place from August 9-11 at the Gippsland Rally in eastern Victoria.

Rally Queensland results

Championship standings