Rising star Harry Bates is likely to have another crack at the Australian Rally Championship in preference to taking a plunge overseas.
Alongside co-driver John McCarthy, Bates completed his first full year in ARC by finishing third after a heart-breaking puncture on the final day of Rally Australia saw their lead of almost three minutes disappear.
The son of four-times Australian champion Neal Bates has spoken of his interest in moving into the Junior World Rally Championship however the manufacturer tender for next season remains unresolved.
“At the moment I’ve got more concrete plans here than I have there,” Bates said.
Bates and McCarthy had a solid season in the Toyota Corolla S2000 which was the same car his dad and co-driver Coral Taylor used to win their fourth national crown in 2008.
The 2016 ARC was won in dramatic circumstances by Taylor’s daughter, Molly and the experienced co-driver Bill Hayes.
“At this point the JWRC contract is still out to tender so we are still not sure yet who is going to be the provider for that. It is usually a one-make series,” Bates said.
“I guess once we find that out we can then find a budget and try to confirm some stuff.”
Both Molly Taylor and Brendan Reeves have campaigned in Europe in recent years in junior programs.
Taylor has been the British Ladies champion and was the European Rally Championship Ladies Champion in 2013 while Reeves was fourth in the WRC Academy Series in 2012.
“I’m lucky I’ve had people before me pave the way. Some of my rivals, Molly Taylor, has spent a number of years in Europe.”
Bates wants to cement himself as a future WRC star, following the path Australia’s most successful international rally driver, Chris Atkinson provided more than 10 years ago.
“It is certainly a goal of mine to be over in Europe at some point,” Bates said.
“I guess for as long as Rally Australia is around you are exposing yourself to the same people when you are back at home.”
The 21-year-old Bates feels he has plenty of time to craft an international career with the average age of a WRC debutant being middle to late 20s.
“Rallying is a sport where development takes a while. The average age of someone in a WRC car is around 25 or 26 years of age and possible a bit older.
“It is a bit of a misconception as people often compare it to circuit racing and I’m probably looked upon as being old in that arena but I’m 21 which is still reasonably young in rallying terms.
“The aim from here would be to get overseas to do the JWRC which you are allowed to do until you are up to about 27.
“Then look at moving up into WRC 2 and progressing from there.”
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