BRENDAN Reeves and Rhianon Gelsomino (Mazda 2) won the Quit Forest Rally, the second round of the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship, held in Busselton and Nannup on April 4-6.
After finishing second to Scott Pedder and Dale Moscatt (Renault Clio R3) in heat one of the event, Reeves/Gelsomino took the lead in heat two following mechanical dramas, which caused Pedder to miss a stage (SS16) late in the day on Sunday.
"We're pretty excited to win the event, especially with all the small problems we had over the weekend but that's rallying, you just keep pushing on," Reeves said.
It is the first time the brother and sister combination have won the event and the win has further extended their lead in this year's championship.
"It feels great to win the Quit Forest Rally, it's probably the best-run event of the year and we've had a great time.
"The roads are a big challenge, I mean there are about five different surface changes in one stage alone, but Rhianon and I had a great time," Reeves said.
"To get nearly maximum points and to come out on top is a great feeling and we've extended our lead in the championship again which is really great as well.
"The next round is in Queensland in two months, so that's a good break.
"This event has been pretty rough on the car as well so it will get quite a big overhaul, both the engine and gearbox will be out and checked and we'll try and work on some set up things as well that we learned from this weekend and just keep pushing the pace," Reeves said.
Despite their issues, Pedder/Moscatt were able to finish the second heat in sixth position and score enough points to keep them in the race for a podium finish.
In the end the bonus point for winning the most stages during the event was the difference with Pedder/Moscatt finishing second outright.
"To win 17 out of 19 stages over the weekend and to not be on the top step of the podium is a bit disheartening but the championship is far from over," Pedder said.
"It's good to bag some points, these are the sort of things that hopefully by the end of the year you look back on and say 'it's good we just kept on going' and obviously it's bad luck but hopefully the luck turns for us next event," he said.
Donnybrook resident Mark Huitenga and his co-driver Robert Holmes (Waroona) competed in the WA Clubman Cup Series component of the event in a Mitsubishi Galant.
They finished 10th outright.
