2004 Double Success

2004 was an excellent year for PBR, with victories in both series contested. Following on from a successful 2003 season, the team rebuilt their Holden Gemini Series Rally Car in preparation for a busy year. At the beginning of the year the decision was made to contest both the NSW Rally Championship with the aim of winning the P2 class (under 1600cc), and to contest the Dunlop NSW Gemini Series. These championships would cover 12 rallies, a big commitment by any standard, but one that would give the young driver, Paul Batten valuable time in the car refining his skills.

The team was put under pressure after an early season hiccup with a DNF while leading in the first round of the Gemini series. With this early mistake and the level of competition in the one make Gemini Series the crew had no margin for error if they where to have any championship chances. But the team rose to the challenge taking victory in four of the remaining six events, winning the final round decider in dramatic fashion.

The NSW State Championship also saw some highlights for the up and coming duo, not only winning the P2 class in convincing style, but scoring some exceptional stage times and outright results, outdoing many Subaru WRX’s and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo’s in their humble Gemini. Some standout results included sixth outright at the Ulludulla Classic Stages and BP Clybucca Rally, ninth outright in the Premier State Rally, and fourteenth outright in the Bay Stages Rally

With a successful 2004 season behind them, the aspiring team has taken a big step up with their new 2004 Subaru RS Impreza. This car is the winning car from the 2004 RS Challenge, and will put the team in the running for a Factory Drive with Subaru Satellite Team. It will provide an excellent basis for the future, and its increased performance will be sure to deliver some exciting results.