Rally in Valley takes off

Toyota drivers Simon Evans and Neal Bates set the pace in the Rally of Melbourne shakedown today, marginally ahead of Dean Herridge in his Subaru and Mitsubishi's Scott Pedder.

Setting a time of 42-seconds, Evans and Bates were equal fastest in the howling gale that met the drivers at the Yarra Valley's De Bortoli Winery this morning; two seconds ahead of series rivals Herridge and Pedder.

Australian Rally Championship series leader Simon Evans admits he'll have formidable company at the pointy end this weekend.  "I know I'll have to drive a perfect rally, no mistakes and fast throughout, if I am to win this rally and the championship. Those guys behind me have nothing to lose so they'll be going flat out and trying to put as much pressure on the Toyotas as possible," Evans said today after shakedown.

Evans is only 16 points clear on top of the table and can't afford any slip up with teammate Neal Bates hot on his heels, while privateer Dean Herridge sits just six points further adrift.

"Simon leads the series and deserves to be there but it has been close all year and the extra points available at Melbourne mean anything can happen in this rally, and it usually does," Neal Bates, Toyota Team Owner said.

"From a team perspective, we are after a 1-2 in the championship, but we have to be right up the in the NGK Rally of Melbourne to ensure that can happen."

Bates showed he had the pace this weekend with a time equal to Evans, while Herridge was also strong and showed he had the pace to challenge the leading duo.

"The Toyotas are out in front and they have been very strong this year but we have got progressively faster this season in our Subaru and while our budget isn't as large as the factory teams, we are still there ready to pounce.we'll be going flat out, there's nothing for us to lose," Dean Herridge said.

Tipped by many as the driver to watch this weekend is local Mitsubishi driver Scott Pedder, who while fourth in the championship, has shown stunning speed through many stages over the year and with his time today showed he had the pace many predicted.

"We really want to finish off the year with a round win and I'll be going out as hard as I can and try to build a lead which I can hold through to the final stage," Scott Pedder said.

Also impressive today was Pedder's cousin Will Orders, who in his Subaru set a time of 45-seconds as did Darren Windus and Kevin Shaw.

Following this evening's Ceremonial Start at NewQuay promenade, the NGK Rally of Melbourne will be battled out in the picturesque Yarra Valley, including the demanding Super Special Stages of the De Bortoli winery where the rally will finish.

A range of ticket options are available to fans, with a 'Rally Weekender' pass available for just $30 for adults, allowing access to all stages on Saturday and Sunday.

For $20, spectators have the option of a 'Day Pass' for either Saturday or Sunday, and a 'De Bortoli Super Special Pass' can be purchased for only $15.

Concession prices are available on all tickets and are $5 from $10 and children under the age of six are admitted free, as well as free access for all to the Federation Square opening and the Yarra Valley Racing Centre.

Tickets to the NGK Rally of Melbourne, the final round of the NEC Australian Rally Championship are available on-line from Ticketmaster7 at www.ticketmaster.com.au or by calling 136 100.

Details regarding corporate hospitality and accommodation for the season finale can be found at the event's website www.rallyofmelbourne.com.au