Who will win the Adelaide Hills Rally?

The 2024 Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship resumes this weekend with the Adelaide Hills Rally.

Our series of ARC experts gave their predictions ahead of fifth-round proceedings commencing.

Taylor GillAustralian Junior WRC Driver

Winner: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorWith the momentum behind him and fresh from a great result in Japan last week, I don’t think the older AP4 car will hold him back from the win this weekend.

Runner-Up: Scott Pedder and Glenn MacneallOn a rally where speed and commitment counts, we know Scott will be strong. Although he didn’t do the rally last year, we know how fast he is and I’m sure he’ll be on it from the word go.

Podium: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlinWith lots of prior experience of this rally, I think Lewis can be fast and consistent this weekend, but I’m expecting the fight for this place on the podium to be super close.

Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Lewis Bates and Coral TaylorYou can never count out Lewis to take the spoils on a Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage and I think he could pull another one out of the bag this weekend.

Dark Horse: Jamie Luff and Brad LuffAnother competitor with previous experience of this rally and some momentum from a trouble-free run in Gippsland, it would be great to see the Luff boys have a good run this weekend.

Surprise Packet: Alex Rullo and Steve GlenneyIt’s not necessarily a surprise to see Alex up at the pointy end, but I feel he could set some really impressive times this weekend. He was quick in South Australia last year and hopefully can carry that experience and momentum into this season’s edition.

Production Cup: Bodie Reading and Mark YoungBodie will be the man to beat for sure, providing he doesn’t have a repeat of last year. No doubt he will have learnt from that and will be even stronger at this year’s Adelaide Hills Rally.

[Image: https://www.rally.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1D2_7738.jpg]

Photo: Oz Sports Photos

Jessica DaneFormer ARC TV Presenter

Winner: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorFresh off the back of a stellar performance across the seas at Rally Hokkaido, Harry and Coral have got to be feeling buoyed. The only thing that might be their downfall would be limited time for preparation. Unlike when Lewis and Anthony competed in Europe, Harry and Coral don’t have to contend with jetlag from a major time zone swing.

Runner-Up: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlinLast year’s Adelaide Hills Rally winning duo, we’re hoping the battle will come down to the wire. Lewis and Anthony will need to be faultless as well as fast to take it down to the Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage.

Podium: Eddie Maguire and Zak BrakeyIt seems I’ve gone for a repeat of last year’s outright podium! But their stage times in 2023 were super consistent, so I’m banking on them delivering a similar performance as they are now repeating rallies in the Skoda R5.

Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorI can’t help but think that these two are going to pull it out of the bag when it matters.

Dark Horse: Molly Spalding and Matthew DillonAs local South Australians, these two get my vote for dark horse in the Production and Junior Cup categories, provided they aren’t hampered by mechanical issues. They’ll also be looking for redemption after last year’s crash in Heat 2.

Surprise Packet: Josh Wiedman and Nick ReidIt’s been a year of learning for these two, but I’m backing them for that moment when it clicks. A Production Cup podium at Forest Rally earlier this year showed what they’ve got.

Production Cup: Bodie Reading and Mark YoungWith no Molly and Andy this round, it’s theirs for the taking. But of course, they’ll need to be mistake-free and have a well-prepared car for no mechanical dramas.

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Dean HerridgeARC TV Presenter

Winner: Scott Pedder and Glenn MacneallAll year the pacesetters have been Harry and Scott. With Harry having to default back to the AP4 car, maybe Adelaide will give us the best clue between the pace of the Rally 2 car he has used all year compared to the AP4 machine. With this unknown and the fact Harry now has a reasonable points buffer and doesn’t “need” to win, I feel like it’s all or nothing for Scott Pedder.

Runner Up: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlinDespite not having the overall speed of his brother or Scott, I thought Lewis’ Gippsland result was quite impressive and measured. I think that momentum will continue, and he’ll end up with a podium result.

Podium: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorWith SP as my round winner tip, I still feel like Harry can end up with a strong result and maybe, at the penultimate round, he starts to think Championship points. He has the pace for a strong result, and I’ll back him to round out the podium.

Power Stage: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorI just can’t go past Harry on the Power Stage. His win rate on them is impressive and I think despite where he sits in the event, he’ll be on for the maximum bonus points on the final stage.

Dark Horse: Eddie Maguire and Zak BrakeyEddie Maguire is real talent and has picked up a couple of podiums even though he hasn’t quite had the outright pace. If he gets some confidence early in that Skoda – watch out!

Surprise Packet: Luff v RulloThe Luffs, or either of the Rullo’s could pull an outright surprise. The Luffs have been building momentum, Alex has been battling for Podiums and Peter comes off an impressive result in a WA State event in the new replacement Skoda.

Production Cup: Bodie Reading and Mark YoungWith a slightly lighter field of production cars, this is Bodie’s chance to put himself in a strong position to defend his title at home in November. Therefore, in my mind this event is Bodie’s to lose. It will also be a good opportunity for Josh Wiedman in the Subaru and Danny Traverso in the Evo.

Nathan Quinn2017 ARC Drivers’ Champion

Winner: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorHarry has plenty of experience in South Australia and was the one to beat in the 2023 version. Couple that with a successful weekend increasing his road database in Japan, I think he will be the one to manage the whole weekend for the top step.

Runner up: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlinLast year showed how close Lewis, Eddie, Alex are for outright speed. Add to that mix Pedder, likely faster again. But Lewis was the most consistent of the 2023 competitors, and when Harry had a mishap, Lewis ended up with the overall rally win. There’s a lot to lose in SA’s short fast stages but bugger-all to gain, an equation I think Lewis has the right formula for.

Podium: Alex Rullo and Steve GlenneyIt has got to be time for Alex Rullo to get back on the podium. He was good here last year, a lover of the short sharp stages. This year he can bring confidence from his 2023 SA showing.

Dark Horse: Alex Rullo and Steve GlenneyAny of the top seven have a chance of making the podium. While a hopeful podium prediction for Rullo, I’m well aware Pedder and Eddie know they belong in the top three.

Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorHarry.

Surprise Packet: Scott Pedder and Glenn MacneallIt will be a surprise packet if Pedder can get through a whole rally without deflating a tyre or ripping some type of body work off.

Production Cup: Bodie Reading and Mark YoungA good way to shake off last year’s whoopsie-daisy. Bodie is quite a formidable force in the Production cup, particularly this weekend with the absence of a few competitors.

Garry O’BrienSpeedcafe.com

Winner: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorFresh off a successful international event, and victory at the last Australian round, it is hard to go past the reigning champs.

Runner-Up: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlinUp and down results so far but will really hit their straps this weekend.

Podium: Scott Pedder and Glenn MacneallWill be keen to keep the momentum going and will lead the non-Toyota charge.

Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorThey have been the fastest so far and should again be the ones to beat on the double points stage.

Dark Horse: Alex Rullo and Steve GlenneyQuick driver and very experienced rally head in the navigator seat.

Surprise Packet: Jamie and Brad LuffThe brothers have been on or there abouts and could pop up.

Production Cup: Bodie Reading and Mark YoungTheir main rivals are not running this weekend, so that will leave the road clear.

Greg RustARC TV Presenter

Winner: Harry Bates and Coral TaylorOff the back of a podium in Japan, he’s in red hot form and although rivals in Pedders Rally Central have question marks about switching back to an old car (while his Rally 2 Yaris is being shipped back from Hokkaido) Bates told me in a podcast recently this is the one event on the calendar which should really suit the older gen Neal Bates built Yaris.

Runner-Up: Alex Rullo and Steve GlenneyAlex seems to get better with every outing. The roads here will suit the fast, fearless WA pilot I reckon. Oh, and the new haircut screams ‘warrior’ too!

Podium: Scott Pedder and Glenn MacneallHe’s experienced the full gamut of emotions at this event. In 2024, we’ve witnessed the speed of Scott’s youth but tempered by the kind of smarts that only come with time. He’s revelling with this team and car.

Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage: Eddie Maguire and Zak BrakeyThe gap to Harry in points terms might seem like a mountain to climb but I just don’t see him being conservative. I feel like Eddie is going to give this event a real shake!

Dark Horse: Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlinThis is a great opportunity for him. In the fiercely competitive ’24 season, it feels like we haven’t seen his best….yet. All the ingredients are there. And there’s a deep hunger to prove a point.

Surprise Packet: Steve Maguire and Ben SearcyAnother one who gets better with every kilometre this season. There’s been lots of learnings and SA should see another step.

Production Cup: Bodie Reading and Mark YoungSo hard to pick this one but with Molly Taylor overseas they must maximise the opportunity. Bodie Reading…. but it’ll be close!