MEDIA RELEASE- For Immediate Release, October 30

ALL PART OF THE RALLY EXPERIENCE FOR ALAJAJIAN

Wet weather played havoc with the second leg of the WPS Rally Bathurst today, dampening more than Sydney youngster Chris Alajajian’s rally debut.

After a DNF in the first leg when his car became stuck out on stage, the 18 year-old was looking forward to the prospect of putting a full day of driving in the Subaru Rally Challenge class of the Globalstar Australian Rally Championship under his belt.

Mother Nature, though, had other ideas.

Almost half of the days running was cancelled, as heavy rain lashed the Bathurst region and turned forest roads into puddle-ridden mud.

In the opening stages of the day, Alajajian took a steady approach in the trying conditions. At the end of the first three stages, he in 24th place outright and fifth in the Subaru Rally Challenge class.

“It was very slippery and treacherous out there,” said Alajajian. “Even taking it easy, as I was, trying to work out how hard I could push, I made a couple of little mistakes which cost us some time, but it was just all about working with the conditions and getting more time in the car.”

However stage three was to be his last time in the forest for the day. Further deteriorating conditions meant a fraction of the field completed stage four, Tindales 1, before the remainder, including Alajajian, were awarded nominal times.

The following four stages were cancelled, leaving just one stage to be run, a shortened super-special stage.

“It’s a little bit disappointing, but it's definitely the right thing to do,” he said. “Even in the early stages before the weather got really bad, the conditions were pretty bad with lots of cars going off.

“It kept getting worse and by the fourth stage it looked undrivable. There was no other choice; it could have been really bad if the cars went out there.”

Alajajian ended the rally on a positive note by setting the 18th fastest time outright and the 2nd fastest time of the Subaru Rally Challenge competitors in the shortened final super-special stage.

Despite the inclement weather playing a part in reducing his running time, Alajajian was pleased with the experience.

“I have to thank Subaru for this weekend, as it was a good opportunity to drive in the rally. We didn’t get to do as much driving as I hoped, but it was a good experience for me to drive a different type of car and learn about something different.

“It was a good weekend and everyone I worked with was great. I enjoyed it, learnt a lot about rallying and driving a rally car, and improved my speed during the weekend.”

‘The Chris’ now turns his attention back to circuit racing, and will return to the seat of his regular Protecnica Racing Formula 3 ride.

This weekend, the penultimate round of the 2005 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship for the CAMS Gold Star at Sydney’s will be held at Eastern Creek Raceway, as part of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Australia. Alajajian currently sits third in the championship.

Time is running out to get tickets for this Friday’s fundraising function at La Montage Restaurant, Leichhardt in Sydney’s inner west.

In addition to playing a part in Chris’ career, those attending the event will be treated to an evening with a three course dinner, drinks, entertainment and special guests.

Tickets for the event are $125 per person, and bookings can be made with Elaine Clayton on 9418 7482.

Chris Alajajian thanks the ongoing support of Jack Hillermans Smash, Subaru Australia, Elf Oil, Scuderia Veloce Motors, Nudie, Workflow Systems, Bilstein, Moody Kiddell & Partners, Travel Café, Heasman Steering, Disc Brakes Australia, Hawk Performance, Monza Mens Boutique and H & R Springs.

For more about Chris Alajajian, check out www.TheChris.com.au