WRC-points are British OMV driver`s goal
Natalie Barratt (Subaru Impreza SpecC N11) is back in the World Rally Championship. The Brit will compete in her sixth run to the Production-World Rally Championship at the season`s finale in Australia. And the OMV driver, together with co Kaj Lindström, has big plans. After having scored WRC-points at the Wales Rally GB Barratt wants to repeat this feat at the Telstra Rally Australia. Still, it will be a long and narrow road.

The last time Natalie Barratt had competed in the Rally Australia had been in 2002. The previous year she had scored her best result with 36th overall place. Three years later the OMV driver was quite surprised when taking a look at the course on the first day.

“I had completely forgotten how fast this is. And there are very narrow passages where the trees come dangerously close. But I believe that I can hold my own at the fast rallies especially. I proved it this year in Wales. And I was well on the way in Japan, as well, until the retirement."

Natalie Barratt was very pleased by the good condition the gravel roads are in. The rain during the recent days has left no visible traces.

Points are possible
Natalie Barrett`s primary target is to reach the finish. She is anxious to see the checkered flag at the season`s finale.

"I`m sure that the Stohl-Racing Team has prepared my Subaru faultlessly once again," said Barrett. "It`s paramount here in Australia to have a reliable car. Then you`re already half-way there for a good result."

Overall 14 cars will be competing in the P-WRC. But the fault rate in Australia has to be taken into consideration. There were nine retirements in the P-WRC alone last year. "Patience is a real virtue in Australia. But I don`t want to wait until my opponents have to retire – I`ll rather put my own foot down. Points should be possible then."

355 SS-kilometres on 26 special stages
The Telstra Rally Australia will commence on Thursday (10th of November) in Perth at 17.50 (local time) with two super stages (SS 1 und SS 2). 24 further special stages with an overall length of 355,01 kilometres are scheduled from Friday to Sunday (11th – 13th of November). The overall length measures 1.093,72 kilometres. The super stage will also be completed twice on both Friday and Saturday. The finishing line will be crossed on Sunday at 14.45 (local time) in Perth.

This is Australia
Area: 7.686.850 sq km; Population: 19.732.000 inhabitants; Population density: 2,56 people per sq km; Capital: Canberra (310.000 inhabitants); The federated Commonwealth of Australia has been independent since the 1.1.1901 and is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. In November temperatures average 20 degrees with up to twelve rainy days.


Tags: natalie-barrat, omv, australia, subaru, impreza, n11,