Once again the mix of Neal Bates, Coral Taylor and the NBM Toyota Celica RA40 took victory in the Classics at the 2015 National Capital Rally, but this time there was more good news for both Neal and Coral.

After taking a Heat victory at the last ARC Round in Western Australia, Molly Taylor (Coral’s daughter!) claimed outright victory at the National Capital Rally in Canberra.

Even more good news came in the shape of third outright for 20-year old Harry Bates (Neal’s son!) in his Toyota Corolla. Harry found the result almost beyond words. “I didn’t expect that at all, especially in our car compared to who we’re up against. Can’t believe it – (it’s) a bit surreal!” he beamed, a smile from ear to ear.

Neal explained it had been anything but a simple weekend. “Actually one of the toughest rallies I’ve ever done – it feels like we just finished the East African Safari! We had punctures, ripped a brake line off and had no brakes, a couple of spins. You name it we’ve done it this weekend!”

Co-driver Coral Taylor was quick to point out that Bates had an added reason for a difficult weekend – he’d been thinking about son Harry throughout the course of the rally.

“For sure he was thinking about Harry the whole rally. I thought I was really bad worrying about Molly, but I’ve realised after this weekend I’m actually pretty good, then again I’ve had a lot more practice,” Taylor explained.

That left the identical Toyota Celica RA40 of Clay Badenoch to claim second in the Classics and the BMW M3 of Tony Quinn took third.

The East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship now moves onto its first International event of the year, the Rally of Queensland, on the weekend of June 19 to 21.