NEAL BATES has rallied all over the world, so which event do you think is his favourite? Maybe New Zealand’s smooth, conveniently cambered thoroughfares through lush green hills? Or perhaps the challenge of Indonesia’s sweaty, slimy, clay-covered palm plantation roads?
Nope, the answer is the Rally of Melbourne. We’ll let the four-time Australian champion and motorsport hall of Famer explain why: “I think the stages, but more than anything, the surface. It always had good grip and [was] also incredibly smooth. But you look at the stages, there’s room to enjoy what rallying is all about: throwing the car into a corner, getting on the power and driving through the corner sideways. The stages really suited that style of driving and it was an absolute sprint rally; drive as fast as you can.”
Such a glowing endorsement requires closer investigation. Old rally maps reveal the roads that Bates animatedly describes lie just an hour or so east of Melbourne’s CBD, surrounding the towns of Yarra Glen, Healesville and Marysville. Our chariot of choice couldn’t be more obvious: the Toyota GR Yaris Rallye. It is, after all, the spiritual successor of the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive weapons that helped Bates and his long-time co-driver Coral Taylor (mother of champion driver Molly) fill their trophy cabinets.
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Wheels Australia Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2021 edition of Wheels Australia Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ROUGH DIAMONDS
GO OUT AND SEE AUSTRALIA. BUY ONE OF THESE AND YOU'LL MAKE IT HOME TOO
WORK IN PROGRESS
WHEN YOUR LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS ON IT, DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES
RABID RESPONSE
EVEN IF YOU'RE PULLING IN THE FINANCIAL HORNS, YOU WON'T NEED TO COMPROMISE ON FUN
PREMIUM BLEND
HERE'S HOW TO ENJOY CHAMPAGNE ON A VAGUELY BEERY BUDGET
GO LARGE, SAVE BIG
WE BRING YOU A SELECTION OF LARGE FAMILY SUVS THAT ARE UNLIKELY TO BREAK THE BANK
MIDDLE CLASS
THE AUSSIE FAMILY DREAM USED TO BE A QUARTER ACRE AND A PICKET FENCE. NOW IT'S A LITTLE MORE MODEST
SHORTY AWARDS
VALUE FOR MONEY CAN BE A RARE COMMODITY AMONG SMALL SUVS. HERE ARE THREE THAT ANSWER THE CALL
MID SIZE MAX VALUE
THE MEDIUM RANGE SECTOR IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF GETTING ALOT OF CAR FOR YOUR DOLLAR
HATCH MATCH
WANT A HATCH THAT'LL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR DIAL SECOND TIME ROUND? TRY THESE...
MODE ΤΟ ΤΟΥ
PORSCHE'S LATEST HOT 911 IS THE NEW FRONTIER FOR ON-THEFLY CHASSIS ADJUSTABILITY, OFFERING THE DRIVER A WORLD OF CONFIGURATION - BUT IS IT WORTH THE HASSLE?