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Learning from the experts …

Over the following months we will post a series of interviews from some of Australia’s Rally Stars, past and present.

Not only is it interesting to hear what they have to say, but for our our budding ‘Search For A Rally Star’ champions it may be worth taking note of some of the advice that is in the answers to their questions! …

Interview #3
With, possibly, our country’s best driver not to win an Australian Rally Championship!

Photo - Courtesy of Paul Seagrove

Photo – Courtesy of Paul Seagrove

Considered to be one of Australia’s most talented drivers during his long career, Wayne Bell has never won the ARC title, despite trying for many years. Fierce battles in a Toyota Sprinter, Mazda 323 Familias and Hyundais failed to produce the result that Bell so richly deserved. He later went on to manage the Hyundai program in Australia and in England where he helped develop their WRC cars. See ARN’s top rally drivers at Rallysport Magazine .

About You

1 Name: Wayne Bell

2 Your date of birth? 14/03/1952

3 How and where did you get introduced to rallying?
Around 1970 a friend took me to a local Newcastle rally. I did not know what they were at that time. It looked like fun and I figured as I had been driving around on dirt roads on my uncles farm since I was six or seven years old, I should be able to compete ok.

4 Why did you want to become a rally driver?
Some of my friends were into rallying in the Newcastle area so I decided to have a go.

5 When and where was your first rally as a driver?
I competed at club level in Group 5 events. I had a $500 mk1 Cortina with my father navigating for me. I used the car for other events such as the Matara Hill Climb and other club events at Amaroo Park etc

6 What was your first rally car?
The Cortina was my first but was not reliable, or we got lost.  In those days there was a lot of map reading and navigation. My first real rally car was my GB Galant.  In my first event in this car I started car 72 and was leading the NSW State Championship event on the North Coast until the last stage when I got caught in a slower vehicles dust.  Eventually finishing 3rd to Peter Lang in the HDT Torana XU1

7 What help did you receive you in getting started?
Plenty of advice from experienced people such as Hal Maloney and Kevin Mason

8 What factors do you believe led to you becoming a success in the sport? i.e was it because you continually practised, or your persistence, or the whole team etc?
I was a natural and found rally driving came easy to me. I use to watch other drivers and study their style. I would then go and practice different the styles and see if they were useful or not. For example I watched the Scandinavians with their reverse flick into a corner. I practice this until I had mastered the technic. I found this to be a big advantage in setting up under brakes.

9 What are your result highlights in rallies and championships?
Over 30 years there have been many. Just to be good at what I did was satisfying.  If I won then all the better. I started off having an aim to beat the best drivers of that time I never really thought of a championship as I did not have the funds to do all the events required.

10 What has been your most satisfying or favourite moment in the sport?
Again there have been many, However being selected to drive for the MHDT was unbelievable at the time.  In hindsight It was to be a disappointing time for the team with the unreliable Gemini Turbo. My attitude changed from wanting to win to just trying to finish events. It was not until I drove the Toyota Corolla that I got the need for speed back. I use to drive the wheels off that car.

About The Sport

11 What is it about Rally Driving that is special to you?
Fantastic people and some great stories to be told. If you crashed it was your fault, not like circuit racing.

12 What did you find was the hardest thing about getting started in rallying?
The funding required was minuscule by todayýs standards. But it was still hard to come by.

13 In your opinion, what are the common mistakes first timers make when they start out in our sport?
Over estimate their ability and ambitions. Some people spend a fortune on the car before they know what rallying is all about.  Unless you have got money to burn start with an older model car and learn how to drive and read the road conditions. If you are good then you will soon find out. Then think about raising the stakes a bit.

14 What general advice would you give to those starting out in rallying today?
If you are young and a good driver, I mean good, not just think you are …. Then do what ever you can to compete in the WRC and Europe. Get noticed by those that matter and gain experience in the different events.  Its tough over there but there is no reason why an Australian canýt make it. Also get the best co-driver available. One is no good without the other

15 What general driving tips could you share with our budding champions?
Perfect a pace noting System.  This is the key to being top rally driver these days. It use to be reading the road on a blind rally there was always a small degree of a safety buffer encase the corner did something unexpected.  But these days its all about the fastest line through the corner with nothing in reserve, if you take the wrong line, you crash, if your co-driver makes a mistake, you crash etc etc.

16 What suggestions could you give for drivers to continue to improve their overall rally driving skills?
Look, listen and learn. Then go and practice in a safe environment, NO TREES.  Find a flat area and set up cones for different types of corners then attack the corners at ridiculous speeds. You will be surprised how fast the maximum speed a rally car will corner when driven correctly. Practice different styles and technique until you find the best suited to you and your car.

17 What comments or suggestions could you make about the other elements in a rally team such a co- driver, car and service crew and their significance as part of the entire team?
At the top level everyone has to be a team. A driver will not be successful without a good team behind him.

18 Are there any suggestions you could make in gaining support and sponsorship?
Presentation is very important.  Particularly when things are not going as planned. These days there are some very good drivers without sponsorship.  On the other hand there are some average drivers who are supported to the hilt. It helps if you have a personality that people like.  A sponsor will be looking for more then just winning events, he will be looking at how he can market his produce through becoming involved with you.  Ed, Possum, Simon and a few of the others had/have it.  If you havenýt got it, then go and be taught it.  In a lot of circles its called BULL S–t.  But a little bull goes along way. But remember there is a limit to how much you can get away with.  You will eventually have to put up or shut up.

19 What is your favourite form of drive mechanism and why? ý Front Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive or Four Wheel Drive?
Rear wheel drive. Enjoyment plus plus.  But donýt expect to win these days. Group N 4×4 is where it is at the moment.  Precise lines and not much power to play with.

20 What is the most impressive rally car you have ever driven?
The best package was the Toyota Corolla.  The most powerful was the 450bhp V8 commodore. The quickest was the Hyundai WRC car I tested in England.  The hardest to drive was the Turbo Gemini because of the turbo lag and then the sudden power when the turbo cut in.

21 In your opinion, what was the best rally car ever produced and why?
BDA Escort. Ask any one who has seen them in full flight. And the sound !!!  Sure the Group B cars were awesome but I love the BDA.

22 How healthy do you regard the sport at present?
It is in good hands at the top level but unfortunately club rallying is becoming a thing of the past and that is a shame.

23 Where do you see rallying heading in the near future?
Its hard to say. Soon Turbos will be out of the WRC.  Will this be good or not ???? In Australia, while ever there are manufactures like Subaru, Mitsubishi etc competing, the sport will continue to expand. Without them I donýt know.

24 What do you think could be done to improve the sport?
Not as spectacular as it use to be. I donýt know the answer to that.

25 Knowing what you do now, if you were a first time entrant in a rally star search event such as Search For A Rally Star, what would you do to get prepared for your first rally driving and interview assessments?
Like I said presentation will help.  But the bull s–t stops when the clutch is dropped. Let your ability do the talking. It’s hard to be overlooked if you have the ability. You can be taught the finer art of diplomacy later. However remember they are looking for an overall package, not just some dumb ass who can drive a bit.

Interview #2With Australia’s leading Cross Country Rally Expert

About You

1 Name: Bruce Garland

2 DOB: 20th August 1958

3 How and where did you get introduced to rallying?
Queensland through another competitor

4 Why did you want to become a rally driver?
You can drive sideways an fast without getting booked by cops

5 When and where was your first rally as a driver?
Mackay 1976

6 What was your first rally car?
HD Holden

7 What help did you receive you in getting started?|
Encouragement and my navigator helping

8 What factors do you believe led to you becoming a success in the sport? i.e was it because you continually practised, or your persistence, the whole team etc?
All that and never give up!

9 What are your result highlights in rallies and championships?
Four times winner of the Australian Safari. See the Garland Rally Team Website

10 What has been your most satisfying or favourite moment in the sport?
Getting to the start of every rally I entered

About The Sport

11 What is it about Rally Driving that is special to you?
Working as a team to get as much fun and speed out of the car with the resources that you have at the time

12 What did you find was the hardest thing about getting started in rallying?
Finding the money

13 In your opinion, what are the common mistakes first timers make when they start out in our sport?
Trying to go to fast to early. Building a expensive first car

14 What general advice would you give to those starting out in rallying today?
Find some friends with some skills to help you. Join a car club and don’t be afraid to ask experienced people for advice

15 What general driving tips could you share with our budding champions?
Practice as much as possible in safe environment. Learn to concentrate for long periods

16 What suggestions could you give for drivers to continue to improve their overall rally driving skills?
Do dirt circuits and motorkhana’s

17 What comments or suggestions could you make about the other elements in a rally team such a co- driver, car and service crew and their significance as part of the entire team?
Your team is the main ingredient for success

18 Are there any suggestions you could make in gaining support and sponsorship?
Work hard never give up

19 What is your favourite form of drive mechanism and why? – Front Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive or Four Wheel Drive?
Rear Drive is best cause you can do big power slides

20 What is the most impressive rally car you have ever driven?
Holden Jackaroo

21 In your opinion, what was the best rally car ever produced?
Ford Escort BDA

22 What do you think could be done to improve the sport?
More rear wheel drives

23 Knowing what you do now, if you were a first time entrant in a rally star search event such as Search For A Rally Star, what would you do to get prepared for your first rally driving and interview assessments?
Get a hair cut

24 Any other comments you would like to make ?
Good luck !

Interview #1

With 2004 ARC Privateers Cup Champion

About You

1) Name: Brad Goldsbrough

2) DOB: 20/02/71

3) How and where did you get introduced to rallying?
As a young bloke – Dad went in a few rallies.

4) Why did you want to become a rally driver?
I just wanted to drive a car as fast as I could along a dirt road, knowing that no-one was coming the other way.

5) When and where was your first rally as a driver?
2001 in Wingham with the AMSAG club.

6) What was your first rally car?
Datsun 1600

7) What help did you receive in getting started?
I was very lucky in that my dad had plenty of experience so he helped me get my car prepared.

8) What factors do you believe led to you becoming a success in the sport? Ie. Was it because you continually practised, or your persistence, or the whole team, etc?
Probably thinking that I was good driver and then smashing my car and realising that I wasn’t, so I sought help in a driving lesson and then just persistence paid off from there.

9) What are your result highlights in rallies and championships?
First win Port Macquarie AMSAG 2001
Championship wins AMSAG, NSW Clubman and NSW State 2002
P5 Championship ARC 2003
Privateer Cup Champion ARC 2004

10) What has been your most satisfying or favourite moment in the sport?
There isn’t one particular moment. I think every event I finish I’m stoked with and my favourite moment is every time I get the car airborne.

About the Sport

11) What is it about Rally Driving that is special to you?
Same reason as I answered in number 4! Driving through the bush knowing that no-one is coming the other way.

12) What did you find was the hardest thing about getting started in rallying?
Choosing a car.

13) In your opinion, what are the common mistakes first timers make when they start out in our sport?
Driving too fast too early, although it’s what it’s all about, it end up costing too much in repairs and you never get to finish!

14) What general advice would you give to those starting out in rallying today?
Although I say driving too fast too early will cost you…go hard anyway!!

15) What general driving tips could you share with our budding champions?
They say “slow into a corner converts to fast out of the corner”. I think you really need to get to know the car’s capabilities.

16) What suggestions could you give for drivers to continue to improve their overall rally driving skills?
The more rallies you do the better you will get and, if possible, a driving lesson with Rick Bates.

17) What comments or suggestions could you make about the other elements in a rally team such as co-driver, car and service crew and their significance as part of the entire team?
They are all as important as any other factor in rallying (and if you enjoy their company, all the better!), and preparation is VITAL.

18) Are there any suggestions you could make in gaining support and sponsorship?
General enthusiasm is the best way to get support, but I think sponsorship is another story.

19) What is your favourite form of drive mechanism and why? – Front Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive or Four Wheel Drive?
Four Wheel Drive. You’ll never drive as fast, or have as much control, in anything else.

20) What is the most impressive rally car you have ever driven?
2002 Subaru Sti (Ex-Possum Bourne Car)

21) In your opinion, what was the best rally car ever produced and why?
2003 Subaru WRC – you’ll never beat technology.

22) How healthy do you regard the sport at present?
Right now, I think the sport is going fine.

23) Where do you see rallying heading in the near future?
I think it’s always going to be a sport in Australia. It may just become more concentrated in certain areas.

24) What do you think could be done to improve the sport?
Give the older cars more freedoms (both 2wd and 4wd).


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