Paul Batten Racing Excels in Nations Capital

Paul Batten Racing began their 2007 NEC Australian Rally Championship in the best possible fashion to walk away with maximum points in the Privateers Rally Challenge and a class win in P5.

Held in the forests around Canberra the event started for Paul and Craig on the Thursday where reconnaissance took place. With Greg, Mike and the students from Kangan Batman Tafe arriving in Canberra with the teams 2006 Subaru WRX STI.

The glitz and glamour of the opening ceremony held in the city centre’s shopping precinct allowed teams to talk about the weekend ahead and also allowed prime viewing coverage for the team’s sponsors. “Our aim is to finish the event and learn as much as we can in the process! It will be a steep learning curve this weekend as the last time we competed in the car was 8 months ago, and quite a lot has changed since then. We plan to take our usual approach – not competing with other stage times, but racing our own event”. Said driver Paul Batten as the team drove over the start ramp.

Friday night saw unfamiliar territory for many crews where a full night stage took place. Early Saturday morning saw the students from Kangan service the car for the stages ahead. The world famous mineshaft stage was the 2nd stage completed on the Saturday morning and did not disappoint.

Through out the day Paul and Craig climbed up the leader board constantly setting stage times inside the top twelve. On stage six a high speed off road excursion cost the team twenty seconds in service with the replacement of a control arm. “With the major upgrades the car completed during the off season both Paul and myself where amazed with the pace increase. Our notes in some stages weren’t quite up to speed with the pace of the upgraded Subaru.” said Craig at the afternoon service.

At the conclusion of the heat the team where amazed to be have completed the heat in a remarkable 8th position. “I’m wrapped. Apart from our mishap on stage six it really has been a great day. The Dunlops were perfect, the crew worked faultlessly during service and I’m gaining more confidence in the car package we have” an ecstatic Paul stated.

Sunday saw repeat of the Mineshaft and Oakey Creek stages along with several fast flowing stages in the Kowan forests. Another smooth and consistent day for Paul and Craig saw them finish in 9th place and 7th outright (ARC) for the entire weekend. “Its great to be able to walk away from Canberra with maximum points in the rally challenge and we can’t wait to hit the roads in SA. We have learnt so much here in Canberra and hopefully we can take that information and use it to our benefit for the remainder of the season” Craig said.

The next event for Paul Batten Racing sees the crew head to Bega in the Hyundai Motor Company supported Hyundai Excel for round three of the 2007 Rallydrive Hyundai Excel Series where the team hope to extend their lead in the Excel series, P2 class (1400-1600cc) and also the 2WD Victorian Rally Championship. Whilst the Subaru will receive further upgrades in preparation of round four of the NEC Australian Rally Championship.

Paul and Craig would like to thank Greg Moulden, Mick Carey and the Students from Kangan Batman TAFE for their event preparation and service. Along with Stuckey Tyre Service, Dunlop Motorsport, AVO Turbo,  www.Linkecu.com, Pitman Trucks, DMS Suspension, Japanese Wholesale Spares, Hubble Photografix, www.rallydrive.com.au,  Sbaru Parts, WURTH, Coxy's Motorsport Parts, and Hyon Smash repairs.

All photographs © www.hubblephotografix.com