Proston Car Rally Club finish 2020 with huge weekend

Tuesday 10 November, 2020

Photos: CH Images

The Proston Car Rally Club has celebrated its final event for 2020 with the highest participation rate in recent years as more than 60 competitors took part in the khanacross.

With the club traditionally running four events per year, the November outing saw around 20 more competitors compared to the usual turnout of 40 participants each event.

Despite a number of clubs unable to hold many events in 2020, the Queensland based club only missed out on holding one event this year, saving its biggest outing for last.

Throughout the weekend, participants got three runs at four separate courses as Aaron Ryland in his Mitsubishi Evo 5 RS came away with the victory after putting in a solid performance.

Having only purchased the car earlier this year, it was just Ryland’s second time in the car and the 19-year-old looked comfortable all weekend, beating father Greg Ryland and the third placed Mark Phillips in the process.

One of a few drivers to have made their way to the event from Hervey Bay, the teenager was thrilled to leave the multi-club khanacross with his name at the top of the timesheets, but revealed winning wasn’t his main motivation.

“It was a great event. It was the second time I have been out there this year. It’s a fantastic little track and I really enjoy competing there. I believe I won my last event there too,” Ryland said.

“I was pretty comfortable throughout the day but in terms of results, I don’t really focus on the times. In fact I wasn’t looking at my times at all because I am not there to win the competition.

“The aim was just to get better in the car and get more comfortable. We only purchased it this year and it’s only the second time I have driven it so I am just getting used to it.

“The goal is to get the car prepared for the Motorsport Australia Queensland Rally Championship next year and then we will see how we go, but I am already pretty thrilled with the car.

“A lot of people from my home club went up to Proston so it was good fun to do the event with them. The event runs like clockwork and it was just exciting to be out there again.”