BATHURST’S Reliance Credit Union Rally team of husband and wife Ron and Jo Moore have extend their lead in the AMSAG Southern Cross Rally Series with a good run at the recent City of Orange Rally.
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They finished third in their BIG4 Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park/Clancy Motor Group Bathurst Mitsubishi Evo 6.
Sydney brothers Michael and Chris Long were far too good for the 34-car field in a one off Southern Cross rally appearance, leading all the way in their Subaru Legacy.
They took first ahead of Bathurst driver Ian Plenderleith in his Mitsubishi Evo. He was paired with experienced Canberra co-driver Mel McMinn.
Ron Moore said it was a tough weekend in Orange with lots of crashes.
"We were happy to finish third, even though I drove like a Grandpa, but I guess I'm allowed to now," he said, in reference to the birth of his and Jo's first grandchild.
"We now have a 31-point lead in the championship over Jon Flower and Chris Maissin in a Subaru with two rounds remaining - at Bulahdelah and then Johns River. We can't get to the first, however we may make the second.”
Among the high profile retirees were Bathurst's defending Southern Cross champion Joe Chapman and co-driver Adrian Grabham.
They debuted a replica of the Datsun 120Y Chapman’s parents competed in, but it suffered serious overheating issues and was retired early so the new engine wasn't damaged.
Bathurst's Nik Hough returned to his Holden Commodore Ute at Orange with co-driver Rob Edwards and finished eighth outright.
It was an effort which has the pair right in the championship chase as they are third outright. They also won the Open Rear Wheel Drive class at Orange and are championship class leaders.
Jarrod Gotch and Darren McNamara did a great job to finish ninth outright and second in class, while father and son team Mark and Harrison Hudson finished 11th in their Subaru WRX Impreza which elevated them to fourth in the overall series.
Danielle Gotch also competed in the event as co-driver for Sydney's Jo Price in a Subaru Impreza. They placed 18th outright, but more importantly second in class.
Bathurst Light Car Club president Michael Tuckey competed as co-driver for Sydney's John Hills in his Ford Escort RS1800, but the pair were among the last listed finishers after they broke a rear brake rotor.
Bathurst's Steven Wells and co-driver Adam Geary returned to the sport in their new car, a Nissan Silvia. They were forced out after experiencing dramas, but before that it showed great potential.
