FIA Rally Star participants Taylor Gill and Dan Brkic will return to action this weekend when they take part in the third round of this year’s Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC).
 
Already showing lots of pace in the opening two rounds of the season, with events having been held on the unfamiliar snow and tarmac surface, this weekend’s Rally Italia Sardegna will see the duo back on the familiar territory of gravel.
 
The Australians enter the event fresh from the JWRC podium at last month’s Croatia Rally – a huge improvement from their season-opening eighth place in Sweden earlier this year.
 
In addition to their podium, they will contest the Italian round in Sardinia
full of confidence having already competed there last year and scoring a big result.
 
“Being on gravel for the first time this year is exciting,” Gill said.
 
“There’s always unfamiliarity coming into a new event, but with this one, we have some experience so it’s not entirely new.
 
“Last year as part of the Rally Star development year, we did a training camp in Sardinia before the rally, did the reconnaissance, and then stayed on to spectate the rally.
 
“This weekend is very important for the direction of our championship.
 
“With Sweden’s downfall we are 30 points behind the leader, so being back in familiar territory we need to capitalise and bring home a good result.”
 
Known for its rocky and rutted roads, Rally Sardinia will prove quite a challenge for Gill and Brkic, as well as the rest of the JWRC competition.
 
Currently sitting third on the standings, Gill will have a tough round against the likes of fellow challengers Norbert Maior, Eamonn Kelly and fellow FIA Rally Star participant Romet Jurgenson.
 
“The JWRC field is incredibly competitive this year with 10 drivers taking stage wins so far,” Gill said.
 
“We’ll definitely be on the attack this weekend – there’s plenty of drivers who will be pushing at the front of the field, so we’ll need to be on our game.
 
“However, it won’t just be a game of flat out – Sardinia is known for its rough terrain, so knowing when to push and when to conserve the car will be vital.”
 
Rally Italia Sardegna serves as the sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship and the third round of the Junior World Championship, taking place in the Italian region of Sardinia on 30 May – 2 June.