Steven Shepheard and John McCarthy are ready to lead the Queensland attack on Rally South Australia next weekend, after a pair of successful test sessions aboard the OZ Tec Suspension Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10.
Enlisting the support of World Rally Championship driver Chris Atkinson, the team has been busy sorting their new weapon, and crucially brining Shepheard up to speed ahead of the event.Atkinson spent three-quarters of a day behind the wheel, fine tuning the car's handling package, with additional time spent with Atkinson riding shotgun to Shepheard, giving the Queensland champion some advanced technique training along the way.
The testing program has left Shepheard brimming with confidence ahead of the final round of the Australian Rally Championship.
"We have made a lot of changes with the car, and I'm certain in my mind that we have the best possible handling and engine package going into the weekend," said Shepheard.
"Having Chris is in the car at the test has taught me a lot about my driving style and how I attack corners.
"Rally SA will be the first time that we have run the car with a dog box combined with left foot braking, which is an area Chris said I should really concentrate on.
"Basically I was going too fast into the corners, braking too late and being too sideways on the exits.
"Back to back on one particular corner, Chris was a second quicker than me, so if I can improve on that, there is a lot of time to be gained.
"The rally is probably the fastest and most flowing on the calendar, so you have to really concentrate and be confident on the fast fifth-gear sections."
The team has faced a steep learning curve with their Lancer Evo 10, the only example currently running in the Australian Rally Championship.
Despite missing the opening round of the championship in Tasmania, Shepheard and McCarthy have run strongly inside the top ten all season long, and are currently placed sixth in the championship.
The Sprint Auto Parts Rally SA kicks off with a ceremonial start and super special stages in Angaston on Friday evening.
The event is a final test for the crew before returning closer to home with Repco Rally Australia on September 3-6, which will be based in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales, only a short drive from the team's Brisbane workshop.
The GSA Wholesale Suspension Rally Team would like to thank OZ Tec Suspension, King Springs, Accord Body Works, Exedy Clutch, CES Racing Systems, Albins Gearboxes and Mitsubishi Ralliart for their continued support in season 2009.
