The 2007 NEC Computer Australian Rally Championship was dominated by the Toyota Racing Developments team. Simon and Sue Evans took the now tried and tested Corolla Sportivo while Neal Bates and Coral Taylor were testing and developing the new S2000 Corolla. The Evans pair won every heat of the series, a feat only previously matched by Neal and Coral in the 1995 ARC, and not again until Harry Bates’ dominance in 2019. The S2000 Corolla was developing fast and finished every event, achieving eight podiums and placing Bates and Taylor second in the title chase.
The only other non-private team was the Pirtek Racing Team running two S2000 Ford Fiestas for Michael Guest (with Mark Stacey and David Green) and Darren Windus (with Jon Mortimer). They never seriously challenged the Toyotas, although Guest picked up a couple of podiums late in the season.
Many privateers put in great performances. not least Dean Herridge and Bill Hayes who had six podiums and placed third in the championship. Spencer Lowndes and Chris Randell scored consistently in a Lancer Evo9 to finish fourth overall.
Toyota won the Manufacturers title from Ford.
Dean Herridge and Bill Hayes again won the Privateers Cup. Paul Batten and Craig Jones won the Rally Challenge. Molly Taylor and Dale Moscatt in a Mitsubishi Mirage won the F16 Cup, John Berne and Scott Beckwith again won the RS Cup while John Murray Senor again won the Australia Cup, this year with Andrew Longuet.
To see other years of the ARC, go to the series page.
