It was a closely fought title in 2023 with the final result hanging on the Power Stage of the final round in Canberra.
The first two rounds in Tasmania and WA saw solid results from the reigning champions, Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin in their GR Yaris, with also strong performances, including two heat wins, by 2017 champion Nathan Quinn with Ray Winwood-Smith in a Hyundai i20 G4. Harry Bates, with “new” four-time champion co-driver Coral Taylor, had a number of issues leaving them languishing in fourth place, also behind Luke Anear and Malcom Read.
Rally Queensland was a turning point for Harry and Coral, taking maximum points. Lewis and Anthony scored well but Quinn had turbo issues and Anear an off road excursion, both taking no points from the round. Harry and Coral continued their good form into Victoria, taking full points at the Gippsland Rally, then a heat win in SA. But Lewis and Anthony continued to score well, including a heat win in SA.
Going into the final round in Canberra, Lewis and Anthony held a 23 point advantage over Harry and Coral. With just the Power Stage to run, Harry and Coral held a mere 3.9 second advantage over Lewis and Anthony, but the 20 points difference between first and second would not bridge the gap. The extra 4 points for a Power Stage win was needed to give Harry and Coral the title, second on the stage would require Lewis and Anthony to place fourth or lower on the stage. Sure enough Lewis came through the Power Stage more than 5 second quicker than Eddie Maguire, so it was down to Harry to better Lewis’ time. The margin was just 2.1 seconds over the 6.57 km stage in Kowen, giving Harry and Coral the title by just 1 point.
To see other years of the ARC, go to the series page.
