Dmack backs Pedder for home rally run

Dmack returns to the event on which it secured its first WRC2 championship in 2014 at Coates Hire Rally Australia. Its Drive Dmack team is targeting continued success this time around with the top local driver joining its ranks. Supplying its WRC tyres to the event, Dmack has shipped its bespoke fitting container, fitted with the machines and equipment needed to supply gravel tyres for competitors. The latest DMG+2 tyres have flown directly from the Yongtai factory.

Held over roads covered in loose stones and renowned for being ultra-slippery and dusty in the dry, Dmack has nominated the hard compound S3 as first choice for the rally, with the softer S6 available should conditions turn wet or cold. If wet, conditions change dramatically with muddy and treacherously slimy surfaces creating extreme conditions.

Rally Australia is once again based at Coffs Harbour, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, and features a compact itinerary. Friday’s high-speed shire road stages are based to the south with a loop of four tests repeated.

Only four stages await teams on Saturday but the huge 50.80km Nambucca test around the town of Bowraville will be the biggest challenge of the weekend. Sunday finishes with five stages to the north of Coffs Harbour including the Wedding Bells power stage.

Local team out to exploit home advantage

Scott Pedder and Dale Moscatt, the top seeded Australian crew, have targeted a podium finished in WRC2. The pair, who have clocked up some serious air miles this season as part of their WRC 2 campaign, will drive an M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta R5 in their bid to chase a season-best finish. They will hope for home advantage on the demanding gravel stages around Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales coast.

Scott Pedder said: “The motivation for your home rally is always higher than others and Coates Hire Rally Australia is a world class event with some fantastic roads, we have a lot of home town support. We can certainly be in with a chance for a podium in WRC 2 here and if we can get into a good rhythm and pace from the start, perhaps we can be challenging for the win. Our plan is to just drive our own race and hope that it is good enough against a strong field of regional rally cars.”

Dick Cormack, Dmack managing director, said: “Rally Australia holds fond memories as the event where we celebrated our first world title. We return again next week with the top local driver and I’m sure Scott will put up a performance to please the home fans. Australia is a difficult event, with the weather at this time of year a little unknown, but I’m confident our tyres can cope well with all conditions.”