James Dimmock is looking forward to wrapping up his 2023 Australian Rally Championship campaign on home turf this weekend.
The local driver, who will be once again partnered by Queenslander Larisa Biggar, will look to build upon their learnings from the season so far in the season-ending Subaru Rally of Canberra, November 18-19.
Having grown up in the ACT, Dimmock completed his first Rally sprint events in the territory and will look to draw upon that local knowledge at his home event despite many of the stages being new for this year’s event.
“This year’s Rally of Canberra will feature two very different days,” said Dimmock.
“Saturday’s stages will run through the Tidbinbilla Forests, to the west of Canberra, and will be quite technical. While Sundays in the Kowen Forests to the east of the city will be very different but still very technical.”
A challenge the 27-year-old is looking forward to, with the aim to secure another top-ten result to round out the year.
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However, it won’t be easy for the Toyota Yaris AP4 driver; with New South Wales state-level competitors also competing in the event and looking to showcase their talent on the national stage, the competition will be fierce.
“It looks like it’ll be a competitive weekend, with the New South Wales guys also running. There will be good battles for sure.” Dimmock continued.
“Our goal for the weekend is to consolidate learnings from earlier in the year and score another top-ten finish.
“If we finish every stage, that’ll give us a good chance to get a result.”
But most of all, Dimmock is looking to put in a good showing in front of his family, friends and local supporters.
“I’m really looking forward to being able to have friends and family at the event,” said Dimmock.
“Obviously, they hear about my rallying and see it on social media, but it’ll be good to get them into the forest and experience what it’s all about.”
“And after the test on Thursday., we’ll be able to take some of our partners for rides, so they can see what it is like first-hand to thank them for their support this year.”
While many of his friends and family will be watching from the spectator areas, James will be joined on the weekend’s stages by his dad, Peter Dimmock, who will drive the Ford Fiesta that James campaigned last year in the two-wheel-drive competition. Peter will be accompanied by co-driver Leigh Brimson-Pierce.
“Dad has been involved in rallying on and off for 40 years and has competed in the Rally of Canberra 15 times,” reflected Dimmock.
“It will be fantastic to not only compete against him but also lean on his experience, especially in tricky conditions, as he has competed on these roads many times.”
Dimmock and Biggar will get a chance to test their Toyota Yaris AP4 in the lead-up to the Subaru Rally of Canberra.
James, as always, would like to take the opportunity to thank his partners for their continued support this year, in particular Trailer Camper Australia, Supreme Dry Cleaners, Brindabella Contractors, Simply Music Management and Silk Café.
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