PBR Prepares For Toyota Kluger Rally SA

The Paul Batten Racing Team of Paul Batten and Craig Jones are preparing for the fast flowing roads that await them at round four of the NEC Australian rally Championship, Toyota Kluger Rally SA. The students and teachers at Kangan Batman TAFE have used the time since Rally of Canberra to prepare the 2006 WRX STI for competition at Rally SA, with the car also spending some time at AVO Turbo to refine the tune on the LinkECU Engine management computer.

"It's a relentless quest to try and push more air through that tiny restrictor. But we feel we have the right tune as Paul and Craig proved at Rally of Canberra. Getting it right is really important as the team is entirely self funded so they can’t afford to put unwanted stress on engines,” explained Steve Coates of AVO Turbo.

The PBR team is in a good position after scoring maximum points in the Rally Challenge Category at Rally of Canberra and is hoping the experience gained from the event will allow them to continue their good run for the rest of 2007.

"It's a long season and because teams have nominated different rounds, it's hard to tell who is in contention for the title until the last rally. We will do what we have done at every event in 2007, not look at times, or what other competitors are up to, but race our own event, improve as we go along, and hopefully we will be in a good position at the finish”, said co-driver Jones.

“We nominated events this year based on cost, but as it happens I am really happy with the events we are doing and I am really looking forward to SA. The roads are fast and flowing and great fun to drive. It is a real drivers rally, and not so hard on the cars,” driver Batten commented.

Batten and Jones were scheduled to compete in the Rallydrive Hyundai Excel Series at Round four of the Victorian Rally Championship last weekend but the event was postponed due to the flooding in East Gippsland earlier this month.

The team would not be able to complete without their valued partners: Greg Moulden and the Students from Kangan Batman Tafe for their event preparation and service. Along with Stuckey Tyre Service, Dunlop Motorsport, AVO Turbo, Hyon Auto Parts and Smash Repairs, MM Sport, DMS Shock Absorbers, Link Engine Management Systems, SBARU Parts, HubblePhotografix.com.au, www.Rallydrive.com.au and Japanese Wholesale spares.