The 2018 Rally Australia (formally known as the 27. Kennards Hire Rally Australia) was a motor racing event for rally cars that took place between 15 and 18 November. The event was open to entries competing in World Rally Cars and cars complying with Group R regulations. It marked the twenty-seventh running of Rally Australia and was the final round of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship and its support series, the WRC-2 and WRC-3 championships.[1] The 2018 event was based in Coffs Harbour in New South Wales and consisted of twenty-four special stages. The rally covered a total competitive distance of a 316.30 km (196.54 miles) and an additional 698.91 km (434.28 miles) in transport stages.[2]

2018 Rally Australia
27. Kennards Hire Rally Australia 2018
Round 13 of 13 in the 2018 World Rally Championship
← Previous event
Team celebration of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT at the podium.
Host country Australia
Rally baseCoffs Harbour, New South Wales
Dates run15 – 18 November 2018
Start locationCoffs Harbour, New South Wales
Finish locationCoramba, New South Wales
Stages24 (316.30 km; 196.54 miles)
Stage surfaceGravel
Transport distance698.91 km (434.28 miles)
Overall distance1,015.21 km (630.82 miles)
Statistics
Crews registered29
Crews25 at start, 15 at finish
Overall results
Overall winnerFinland Jari-Matti Latvala
Finland Miikka Anttila
Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
2:59:52.0
Power Stage winnerFrance Sébastien Ogier
France Julien Ingrassia
United Kingdom M-Sport Ford WRT
Support category results
WRC-2 winnerChile Alberto Heller
Argentina José Diaz
United Kingdom M-Sport Ford WRT
3:22:20.5
WRC-3 winnerno classified finishers

Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul were the defending rally winners.[3] The Finnish crew of Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen were the reigning winners of the World Rally Championship-2, but did not enter the rally this year.[4] There were no defending crews in the World Rally Championship-3 category since no crews entered here last year.

Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila won their first rally victory since 2017 Rally Sweden. Their team, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, were the manufacturers' winners.[5] The M-Sport Ford WRT crew of Alberto Heller and José Diaz won the World Rally Championship-2 category in a Škoda Fabia R5.[6] In the World Rally Championship-3, there were no classified finishers.

Defending world champions Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia took fifth place, which was enough for them to secure their sixth consecutive drivers' and co-drivers' titles respectively. Following a win and a 4th-place finish, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT won their first manufacturers' title since 1999.[7] In the WRC-3 championships, Enrico Brazzoli and Luca Beltrame still secured the titles although the Italian crews retired from the event.

Background edit

Championship standings prior to the event edit

Defending world champions Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia entered the round with a three-point lead over the defending rally winners Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul.[8] Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja were third, a further twenty points behind. In the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT held a twelve-point lead over Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT.

In the World Rally Championship-2 standings, newly-crowned champions Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler lead the drivers' and co-drivers' standings by thirty-three points. Pontus Tidemand and Jonas Andersson were in second, while the Finnish crew of Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen were another twenty-one points behind in third.[9] However, all of them did not participate in the event.[4] In the teams' championship, Škoda Motorsport II held a seventeen-point lead over sister team Škoda Motorsport.

In the World Rally Championship-3 standings, Enrico Brazzoli and Luca Beltrame held a slender one-point lead over Taisko Lario and Tatu Hämäläinen, while 2018 Junior World Rally champions Emil Bergkvist and Johan Johansson were in third, eleven and seventeen points further behind in the drivers' and co-drivers' standings respectively. In the teams' championship, ACI Team Italia led Castrol Ford Team Turkiye by sixteen points.

Entry list edit

The following crews were entered into the rally. The entry list consisted of twenty-nine crews, including twelve World Rally Car entries, four entries in the World Rally Championship-2 and two in the World Rally Championship-3.

No. Entrant Driver Co-driver Car Group Eligibility Tyre
1   M-Sport Ford WRT   Sébastien Ogier   Julien Ingrassia Ford Fiesta WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
2   M-Sport Ford WRT   Elfyn Evans   Daniel Barritt Ford Fiesta WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
3   M-Sport Ford WRT   Teemu Suninen   Mikko Markkula Ford Fiesta WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
4   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT   Andreas Mikkelsen   Anders Jæger-Synnevaag Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
5   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT   Thierry Neuville   Nicolas Gilsoul Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
6   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT   Hayden Paddon   Sebastian Marshall Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
7   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT   Jari-Matti Latvala   Miikka Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
8   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT   Ott Tänak   Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
9   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT   Esapekka Lappi   Janne Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
10   Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT   Mads Østberg   Torstein Eriksen Citroën C3 WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
11   Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT   Craig Breen   Scott Martin Citroën C3 WRC RC1 WRC manufacturer M
21   M-Sport Ford WRT   Jourdan Serderidis   Lara Vanneste Ford Fiesta WRC RC1 WRC M
31   Pedro Heller   Pedro Heller   Pablo Olmos Ford Fiesta R5 RC2 WRC-2 M
32   Motorsport Italia   Armin Kremer   Pirmin Winklhofer Škoda Fabia R5 RC2 WRC-2 P
33   M-Sport Ford WRT   Alberto Heller   José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 RC2 WRC-2 M
34   Gianluca Linari   Gianluca Linari   Pietro Elia Ometto Subaru Impreza WRX STi RC2 WRC-2 P
61   Enrico Brazzoli   Enrico Brazzoli   Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 RC3 WRC-3 P
62   Louise Cook   Louise Cook   Stefan Davis Citroën DS3 R3 RC3 WRC-3 M
71   Eli Evans   Eli Evans   Ben Searcy Škoda Fabia R5 RC2 MR
72   Harry Bates   Harry Bates   John McCarthy Toyota Yaris AP4 ASN MR
73   Team MRF Tyres   Gaurav Gill   Glenn MacNeall Ford Fiesta R5 RC2 MR
74   Steve Glenney   Steve Glenney   Andrew Sarandis Škoda Fabia R5 RC2 MR
75   Les Walkden Racing   Molly Taylor   Malcolm Read Subaru Impreza WRX STi ASN MR
76   Raana Horan   Raana Horan   Michael Connor Škoda Fabia R5 RC2 P
77   Tony Sullens   Tony Sullens   Kaylie Newell Citroën DS3 R3 RC3 MR
78   Wayne Morton   Wayne Morton   Kirra Penny Toyota Auris S2000 ASN MR
79   Atsushi Masumura   Naoya Tanaka   Super Alex Troop Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X RC2 H
80   Lewis Bates   Lewis Bates   Anthony McLoughlin Toyota Corolla S2000 ASN MR
81   Luke Anear   Luke Anear   Jon Mitchell Subaru Impreza WRX STi ASN MR
Source:[4]

Report edit

Leg 1 edit

Coming into Coffs Harbour, Sébastien Ogier was the championship leader. Being first on the road, he had to endured the lack of grip. He ended the day in seventh after title contender Thierry Neuville suffered a rear-left puncture in the second pass of Sherwood, which dropped him down to tenth overall. Another title rival Ott Tänak also had some issue. His Yaris' engine took on water in a river crossing, which tore the front aero from his car and affected its handling. The Estonian eventually finished in fifth overall, 16.9 seconds off the lead.

It was Mads Østberg and Craig Breen made full use of advantages of being late on the road that gave Citroën a 1–2. Jari-Matti Latvala was 1.9 seconds behind Breen in third, followed by Hayden Paddon, another 3.8 seconds behind in fourth. Esapekka Lappi recovered to sixth after of the same watersplash issue as Tänak's. Ford duo Elfyn Evans and Teemu Suninen completed the day in eighth and ninth respectively after giving positions to their defending world champion Ogier. Andreas Mikkelsen was the only major retirement of the leg. The Norwegian parked his i20 with suspected radiator damage after crashing into a ditch.

Leg 2 edit

Because of the puncture on Friday, Thierry Neuville was the first manufacturer car on the road. The Belgian managed to catch two places despite dry roads meant he was effectively high-speed road-sweepers, cleaning the surface of thick gravel to expose a faster line with more grip for those starting later. He eventually ended the leg in eighth, more than 50 seconds behind the title rival Sébastien Ogier, who kept his position in sixth after a trouble free day. Meanwhile, Ott Tänak set some brilliant pace, which elevated him to the top spot, around 20 seconds cleared of his teammate Jari-Matti Latvala. If the rally ends today, Ogier will win his sixth consecutive drivers' title with 212 points, while Tänak will snatch the runner-up spot from Neuville with an advantage of only one point in the championship standings.

Following two Toyotas, Hayden Paddon was in third, just 4.4 seconds off Latvala. Mads Østberg came into the day as the rally leader, but he was struggled with his Citroën C3’s balance in the afternoon loop. The Norwegian completed the day in fourth, just edged Esapekka Lappi by 3.8 seconds. Teammate Craig Breen fared worse — He spun into a bank and damaged his rear suspension, which dropped him down to tenth overall. Seventh-place Elfyn Evans provided a convenient buffer between Ogier and Neuville, with teammate Teemu Suninen finished the leg in ninth.

Leg 3 edit

It turned out the final leg of the season was a total disaster for two title contenders Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak. Neuville, who led the championship for most of the year, clipped a bank and a tree on SS22 and forced to retire.[10] One stage later, Tänak stopped because of the damage to transmission.[11] Following two title rivals' retirements, Sébastien Ogier successfully won his sixth drivers' title with a fifth-place finish.[12] Toyota's Jari-Matti Latvala won the rally, which helped the team to win their first manufacturers' title for the first time since 1999. Hayden Paddon and Mads Østberg rounded out of the podium, followed by Esapekka Lappi in a third Yaris. Elfyn Evans completed the event in sixth after teammate Ogier, while Craig Breen gained one place from Teemu Suninen, who retired his Fiesta before the final test following an impact in the previous stage. WRC-2 category winner Alberto Heller, local driver Steve Glenney and rally veteran Jourdan Serderidis covered out of the leaderboard.

Classification edit

Final results edit

Pos. No. Driver Co-driver Entrant Car Class Time Difference
to 1st to prev.
1 7   Jari-Matti Latvala   Miikka Anttila   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC WRC 2:59:52.0 0.0 0.0
2 6   Hayden Paddon   Sebastian Marshall   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC WRC 3:00:24.5 +32.5 +32.5
3 10   Mads Østberg   Torstein Eriksen   Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT Citroën C3 WRC WRC 3:00:44.2 +52.2 +19.7
4 9   Esapekka Lappi   Janne Ferm   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC WRC 3:00:54.3 +1:02.3 +10.1
5 1   Sébastien Ogier   Julien Ingrassia   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC WRC 3:02:22.8 +2:30.8 +1:28.5
6 2   Elfyn Evans   Daniel Barritt   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC WRC 3:02:22.8 +3:05.1 +34.3
7 11   Craig Breen   Scott Martin   Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT Citroën C3 WRC WRC 3:08:51.0 +8:59.0 +5:53.9
8 33   Alberto Heller   José Diaz   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta R5 WRC-2 3:22:20.5 +22:28.5 +13:29.5
9 74   Steve Glenney   Andrew Sarandis   Steve Glenney Škoda Fabia R5 3:26:53.8 +27:01.8 +4:33.3
10 21   Jourdan Serderidis   Lara Vanneste   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC WRC 3:35:06.1 +35:14.1 +8:12.3
11 4   Andreas Mikkelsen   Anders Jæger-Synnevaag   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC WRC 3:43:13.9 +43:21.9 +8:07.8
12 34   Gianluca Linari   Pietro Elia Ometto   Gianluca Linari Subaru Impreza WRX STi WRC-2 3:49:40.4 +49:48.4 +6:26.5
13 71   Eli Evans   Ben Searcy   Eli Evans Škoda Fabia R5 4:05:03.5 +1:05:11.5 +15:23.1
14 80   Lewis Bates   Anthony McLoughlin   Lewis Bates Toyota Corolla S2000 4:13:38.8 +1:13:46.8 +8:35.3
15 73   Gaurav Gill   Glenn MacNeall   Team MRF Tyres Ford Fiesta R5 4:14:20.0 +1:14:28.0 +41.2
Ret 8   Ott Tänak   Martin Järveoja   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC WRC Retired SS23
Ret 3   Teemu Suninen   Mikko Markkula   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC WRC Retired SS23
Ret 5   Thierry Neuville   Nicolas Gilsoul   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC WRC Retired SS22
Ret 32   Armin Kremer   Pirmin Winklhofer   Motorsport Italia Škoda Fabia R5 WRC-2 Retired SS21
Ret 31   Pedro Heller   Pablo Olmos   Pedro Heller Ford Fiesta R5 WRC-2 Retired SS20
Ret 76   Raana Horan   Michael Connor   Raana Horan Škoda Fabia R5 Retired SS19
Ret 78   Wayne Morton   Kirra Penny   Wayne Morton Toyota Auris S2000 Retired SS19
Ret 79   Naoya Tanaka   Super Alex Troop   Atsushi Masumura Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Retired SS19
Ret 61   Enrico Brazzoli   Luca Beltrame   Enrico Brazzoli Citroën DS3 R3 WRC-3 Retired SS14
Ret 72   Harry Bates   John McCarthy   Harry Bates Toyota Yaris AP4 Retired SS14
DNS 62   Louise Cook   Stefan Davis   Louise Cook Citroën DS3 R3 WRC-3 Did not start
DNS 75   Molly Taylor   Malcolm Read   Les Walkden Racing Subaru Impreza WRX STi Did not start
DNS 77   Tony Sullens   Kaylie Newell   Tony Sullens Citroën DS3 R3 Did not start
DNS 81   Luke Anear   Jon Mitchell   Luke Anear Subaru Impreza WRX STi Did not start
Source:[13][14]

Point scorers edit

Pos. No. Driver Co-driver Entrant Car Class Points
1 7   Jari-Matti Latvala   Miikka Anttila   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC WRC 25 in WRC, 1 from Power Stage
2 6   Hayden Paddon   Sebastian Marshall   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC WRC 18 in WRC, 0 from Power Stage
3 10   Mads Østberg   Torstein Eriksen   Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT Citroën C3 WRC WRC 15 in WRC, 3 from Power Stage
4 9   Esapekka Lappi   Janne Ferm   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC WRC 12 in WRC, 4 from Power Stage
5 1   Sébastien Ogier   Julien Ingrassia   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC WRC 10 in WRC, 5 from Power Stage
6 2   Elfyn Evans   Daniel Barritt   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC WRC 8 in WRC, 2 from Power Stage
7 11   Craig Breen   Scott Martin   Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT Citroën C3 WRC WRC 6 in WRC, 0 from Power Stage
8 33   Alberto Heller   José Diaz   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta R5 WRC-2 4 in WRC, 25 in WRC-2
9 74   Steve Glenney   Andrew Sarandis   Steve Glenney Škoda Fabia R5 2 in WRC
10 21   Jourdan Serderidis   Lara Vanneste   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC WRC 1 in WRC, 0 from Power Stage
12 34   Gianluca Linari   Pietro Elia Ometto   Gianluca Linari Subaru Impreza WRX STi WRC-2 18 in WRC-2

Special stages edit

Overall classification
Day Stage Name Length Stage winners Car Time Class leaders
15 November Bucca [Shakedown] 5.07 km   Sébastien Ogier  Julien Ingrassia Ford Fiesta WRC 2:53.8
16 November SS1 Orara East 1 8.77 km   Esapekka Lappi  Janne Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC 4:45.5   Esapekka Lappi  Janne Ferm
SS2 Coldwater 1 14.12 km   Jari-Matti Latvala  Miikka Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC 7:56.3   Jari-Matti Latvala  Miikka Anttila
  Esapekka Lappi  Janne Ferm
SS3 Sherwood 1 26.68 km   Mads Østberg  Torstein Eriksen Citroën C3 WRC 12:49.0   Mads Østberg  Torstein Eriksen
SS4 Orara East 2 8.77 km   Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 4:43.5
SS5 Coldwater 2 14.12 km   Thierry Neuville  Nicolas Gilsoul Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 7:51.1
SS6 Sherwood 2 26.68 km   Craig Breen  Scott Martin Citroën C3 WRC 12:35.6
SS7 Destination NSW SSS18 1 1.27 km   Sébastien Ogier  Julien Ingrassia Ford Fiesta WRC 1:23.4
SS8 Destination NSW SSS18 2 1.27 km   Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 1:23.0
17 November SS9 Argents Hill Reverse 1 13.13 km   Hayden Paddon  Sebastian Marshall Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 7:20.9
SS10 Welshs Creek Reverse 1 28.83 km   Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 15:12.6
SS11 Urunga 1 20.11 km   Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 11:32.3   Jari-Matti Latvala  Miikka Anttila
SS12 Raleigh 1 1.99 km   Elfyn Evans  Daniel Barritt
  Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja
Ford Fiesta WRC
Toyota Yaris WRC
1:33.1
SS13 Argents Hill Reverse 2 13.13 km   Hayden Paddon  Sebastian Marshall Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 7:16.8
SS14 Welshs Creek Reverse 2 28.83 km   Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 15:01.4   Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja
SS15 Urunga 2 20.11 km   Esapekka Lappi  Janne Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC 11:32.5
SS16 Raleigh 2 1.99 km   Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 1:32.2
SS17 Destination NSW SSS18 3 1.27 km   Ott Tänak  Martin Järveoja Toyota Yaris WRC 1:23.1
SS18 Destination NSW SSS18 4 1.27 km   Thierry Neuville  Nicolas Gilsoul Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 1:24.1
18 November SS19 Coramba 1 15.55 km   Jari-Matti Latvala  Miikka Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC 9:38.1
SS20 Sapphire 1 19.27 km   Hayden Paddon  Sebastian Marshall Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 11:30.2   Jari-Matti Latvala  Miikka Anttila
SS21 Wedding Bells18 1 7.16 km   Esapekka Lappi  Janne Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC 4:14.9
SS22 Coramba 2 15.55 km   Jari-Matti Latvala  Miikka Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC 10:05.1
SS23 Sapphire 2 19.27 km   Jari-Matti Latvala  Miikka Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC 11:48.1
SS24 Wedding Bells18 2 [Power stage] 7.16 km   Sébastien Ogier  Julien Ingrassia Ford Fiesta WRC 4:16.2
World Rally Championship-2
15 November Bucca [Shakedown] 5.07 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 3:08.9
16 November SS1 Orara East 1 8.77 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 5:12.9   Alberto Heller  José Diaz
SS2 Coldwater 1 14.12 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 8:42.3
SS3 Sherwood 1 26.68 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 14:27.5
SS4 Orara East 2 8.77 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 5:07.3
SS5 Coldwater 2 14.12 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 8:32.3
SS6 Sherwood 2 26.68 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 14:06.4
SS7 Destination NSW SSS18 1 1.27 km   Armin Kremer  Pirmin Winklhofer Škoda Fabia R5 1:29.0
SS8 Destination NSW SSS18 2 1.27 km   Pedro Heller  Pablo Olmos Ford Fiesta R5 1:27.3
17 November SS9 Argents Hill Reverse 1 13.13 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 8:00.9
SS10 Welshs Creek Reverse 1 28.83 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 16:46.0
SS11 Urunga 1 20.11 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 12:55.0
SS12 Raleigh 1 1.99 km   Armin Kremer  Pirmin Winklhofer Škoda Fabia R5 1:38.0
SS13 Argents Hill Reverse 2 13.13 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 7:55.1
SS14 Welshs Creek Reverse 2 28.83 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 16:40.7
SS15 Urunga 2 20.11 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 12:52.7
SS16 Raleigh 2 1.99 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 1:38.0
SS17 Destination NSW SSS18 3 1.27 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 1:28.2
SS18 Destination NSW SSS18 4 1.27 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 1:27.2
18 November SS19 Coramba 1 15.55 km   Pedro Heller  Pablo Olmos Ford Fiesta R5 10:46.5
SS20 Sapphire 1 19.27 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 13:07.3
SS21 Wedding Bells18 1 7.16 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 5:14.7
SS22 Coramba 2 15.55 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 12:32.6
SS23 Sapphire 2 19.27 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 15:01.2
SS24 Wedding Bells18 2 7.16 km   Alberto Heller  José Diaz Ford Fiesta R5 4:52.3
World Rally Championship-3
15 November Bucca [Shakedown] 5.07 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 3:48.6
16 November SS1 Orara East 1 8.77 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 6:40.5   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame
SS2 Coldwater 1 14.12 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 10:23.4
SS3 Sherwood 1 26.68 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 18:08.6
SS4 Orara East 2 8.77 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 6:04.6
SS5 Coldwater 2 14.12 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 10:12.7
SS6 Sherwood 2 26.68 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 25:08.6
SS7 Destination NSW SSS18 1 1.27 km No stage-winner
SS8 Destination NSW SSS18 2 1.27 km No stage-winner
17 November SS9 Argents Hill Reverse 1 13.13 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 9:24.8
SS10 Welshs Creek Reverse 1 28.83 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 19:01.0
SS11 Urunga 1 20.11 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 15:03.4
SS12 Raleigh 1 1.99 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 1:49.8
SS13 Argents Hill Reverse 2 13.13 km   Enrico Brazzoli  Luca Beltrame Citroën DS3 R3 9:10.3
SS14 Welshs Creek Reverse 2 28.83 km No stage-winner No leader
SS15 Urunga 2 20.11 km No stage-winner
SS16 Raleigh 2 1.99 km No stage-winner
SS17 Destination NSW SSS18 3 1.27 km No stage-winner
SS18 Destination NSW SSS18 4 1.27 km No stage-winner
18 November SS19 Coramba 1 15.55 km No stage-winner
SS20 Sapphire 1 19.27 km No stage-winner
SS21 Wedding Bells18 1 7.16 km No stage-winner
SS22 Coramba 2 15.55 km No stage-winner
SS23 Sapphire 2 19.27 km No stage-winner
SS24 Wedding Bells18 2 7.16 km No stage-winner

Power stage edit

The Power stage was a 7.16 km stage at the end of the rally. Additional World Championship points were awarded to the five fastest crews.

Pos. Driver Co-driver Car Time Diff. Pts.
1   Sébastien Ogier   Julien Ingrassia Ford Fiesta WRC 4:16.2 0.0 5
2   Esapekka Lappi   Janne Ferm Toyota Yaris WRC 4:16.3 +0.1 4
3   Mads Østberg   Torstein Eriksen Citroën C3 WRC 4:18.9 +2.7 3
4   Elfyn Evans   Daniel Barritt Ford Fiesta WRC 4:19.2 +3.0 2
5   Jari-Matti Latvala   Miikka Anttila Toyota Yaris WRC 4:20.4 +4.2 1

Penalties edit

The following crews were given time penalties during the rally.

Stage No. Driver Co-driver Entrant Car Class Reason Penalty
SS5 79   Naoya Tanaka   Super Alex Troop   Atsushi Masumura Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 13 minutes late 2:10
SS8 76   Raana Horan   Michael Connor   Raana Horan Škoda Fabia R5 1 minute late 0:10
SS9 72   Harry Bates   John McCarthy   Harry Bates Toyota Yaris AP4 4 minutes late 0:40
SS9 76   Raana Horan   Michael Connor   Raana Horan Škoda Fabia R5 17 minutes late 2:50
SS9 78   Wayne Morton   Kirra Penny   Wayne Morton Toyota Auris S2000 13 minutes late 2:10
SS10 78   Wayne Morton   Kirra Penny   Wayne Morton Toyota Auris S2000 Jump start 0:10
SS12 11   Craig Breen   Scott Martin   Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT Citroën C3 WRC WRC 23 minutes late 3:50
SS17 11   Craig Breen   Scott Martin   Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT Citroën C3 WRC WRC 1 minute late 0:10

Retirements edit

The following crews retired from the event. Under Rally2 regulations, they were eligible to re-enter the event starting from the next leg. Crews that re-entered were given an additional time penalty.

Stage No. Driver Co-driver Entrant Car Class Cause Re-entry
SS3 4   Andreas Mikkelsen   Anders Jæger-Synnevaag   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC WRC Rolled Yes
SS3 71   Eli Evans   Ben Searcy   Eli Evans Škoda Fabia R5 Mechanical Yes
SS3 80   Lewis Bates   Anthony McLoughlin   Lewis Bates Toyota Corolla S2000 Mechanical Yes
SS6 61   Enrico Brazzoli   Luca Beltrame   Enrico Brazzoli Citroën DS3 R3 WRC-3 Mechanical Yes
SS8 79   Naoya Tanaka   Super Alex Troop   Atsushi Masumura Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Mechanical Yes
SS9 79   Naoya Tanaka   Super Alex Troop   Atsushi Masumura Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Mechanical Yes
SS10 31   Pedro Heller   Pablo Olmos   Pedro Heller Ford Fiesta R5 WRC-2 Mechanical Yes
SS11 73   Gaurav Gill   Glenn MacNeall   Team MRF Tyres Ford Fiesta R5 Mechanical Yes
SS14 61   Enrico Brazzoli   Luca Beltrame   Enrico Brazzoli Citroën DS3 R3 WRC-3 Accident No
SS14 72   Harry Bates   John McCarthy   Harry Bates Toyota Yaris AP4 Engine No
SS14 76   Raana Horan   Michael Connor   Raana Horan Škoda Fabia R5 Mechanical Yes
SS16 32   Armin Kremer   Pirmin Winklhofer   Motorsport Italia Škoda Fabia R5 WRC-2 Mechanical Yes
SS19 76   Raana Horan   Michael Connor   Raana Horan Škoda Fabia R5 Mechanical No
SS19 78   Wayne Morton   Kirra Penny   Wayne Morton Toyota Auris S2000 Accident No
SS19 79   Naoya Tanaka   Super Alex Troop   Atsushi Masumura Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Mechanical No
SS20 31   Pedro Heller   Pablo Olmos   Pedro Heller Ford Fiesta R5 WRC-2 Mechanical No
SS21 32   Armin Kremer   Pirmin Winklhofer   Motorsport Italia Škoda Fabia R5 WRC-2 Mechanical No
SS22 5   Thierry Neuville   Nicolas Gilsoul   Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC WRC Lost wheel No
SS23 3   Teemu Suninen   Mikko Markkula   M-Sport Ford WRT Ford Fiesta WRC WRC Mechanical No
SS23 8   Ott Tänak   Martin Järveoja   Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Yaris WRC WRC Accident No

Championship standings after the rally edit

  • Bold text indicates 2018 World Champions.

References edit

  1. ^ "Rally Aus retains WRC finale in 2018". speedcafe.com. Speedcafe. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Kennards Hire Rally Australia". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. Archived from the original on 31 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Sunday in Australia: Neuville Secures Fourth Win". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Kennards Hire Rally Australia 2018 Entry List" (PDF). rallyaustralia.com.au. Rally Australia. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Sunday in Australia: Six of the best for Ogier". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  6. ^ "WRC 2 in Australia: Alberto Heller Seals Comfortable Win". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  7. ^ Van Leeuwen, Andrew (18 November 2018). "Rally Australia: Latvala wins as Ogier, Toyota claim WRC titles". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Breaking News: Dream Win for Loeb". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  9. ^ "WRC 2 in Spanin: Rovanperä Nets Masterful win". wrc.com. WRC. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  10. ^ Evans, David (18 November 2018). "Ogier, Tanak to fight for WRC title as Hyundai's Neuville retires". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  11. ^ Evans, David (18 November 2018). "Rally Australia: Tanak retires with one stage left - Ogier wins WRC". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Sunday in Australia: Six of the Best for Ogier". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  13. ^ "Rally Australia Results". wrc.com. World Rally Championship. Archived from the original on 29 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  14. ^ "27. Kennards Hire Rally Australia 2018". ewrc-results.com. Retrieved 15 November 2018.

External links edit

Previous rally:
2018 Rally Catalunya
2018 FIA World Rally Championship Next rally:
2019 Monte Carlo Rally (2019)
Previous rally:
2017 Rally Australia
2018 Rally Australia Next rally:
TBD
2019 edition cancelled