Locals gather pace for rally

The Make Smoking History Forest Rally is set to get bring some fast and furious action to Busselton next weekend as cars race through the forests of Nannup and around the Busselton foreshore.

Alongside the list of interstate competitors headed west to race, a host of local young gun drivers, co-drivers, mechanics and rally veterans will take part in the Forest Rally, which is the second round of the CAMS Australian Rally Championships.

Busselton driver Kody Reynolds, 18, is competing in the two-day event behind the wheel of a 2WD Subaru.

Reynolds will race with co-driver Anthony Staltari and said he was looking forward to competing in the event as a local.

“They are absolutely fantastic roads and having all the local support is good,” he said.

“The atmosphere on Friday night is wicked too.

“I just want to try and keep a bit of pace up and keep up with the front runners in my class, but mainly focused on finishing — that’s the main thing.”

Reigning WA champion and nationally accomplished rally driver Tom Wilde is hoping to hold on to his State title this year and has teamed up with his partner Madelin Kirkhouse as co-driver.

“I’ve competed (in the Forest Rally) every year since 2006, it’s one I never miss,” Wilde said.

“It’s always a good rally and being local we are quite used to the roads and everything.

“We’re leading the State champs so we are really going to try to hold on to that lead.”

Long-term Dunsborough rally competitor Andy van Kann said Nannup’s main street would be transformed into a hub for the vehicles as they raced the townsite, while Busselton spectators would get a close look at cars as they sped alongside the foreshore and around the Trade Hire Busselton Special Stage.

The Forest Rally kicks off from Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23. For more information visit, www.rallywa.com/rallyevents/ 2017-forest-rally.