Subaru driver Cody Crocker has produced a superb drive in tough conditions to take top points in Heat One of Falken Tyres Rally Queensland.

Crocker, who won both heats at the opening round in Western Australia back in March, finished a comfortable 62 seconds ahead of fellow Subaru driver Simon Evans.

Crocker now leads the 2003 Championship with 61 points from Evans with 44 points.

Completing a clean sweep for Subaru today was 26-year-old Dean Herridge who was just 6.2 seconds behind Evans in third place after ten special stages across 135 competitive kilometres.

Crocker and co-driver Greg Foletta were delighted with the win. "This was one of the toughest days rallying we have done," said Crocker. "The roads were very tough and technical and a lot of the roads had never been used before in Australian rallying, which always makes it harder."
"We set ourselves the goal of staying out of trouble today. Greg did a great job with the notes and we made it through cleanly despite the constant obstacles we had to deal with."
"But every heat counts in the championship this year so we have to go out and have another clean run tomorrow otherwise weÅfll slip back to the pack."


The rally gets underway at 7:48am Sunday morning. Those cars that can make it to the start line after todayÅfs gruelling challenge will contest a further six stages across 110.66 competitive kilometres.

Heat One - Falken Rally of Queensland - Saturday June 14, 2003 (Provisional)

1 C Crocker/G Foletta Subaru Impreza WRX STi 1: 26:17.4
2 S Evans/S Evans Subaru Impreza WRX STi 1:27:19.4 +1:02.0
3 D Herridge/G Macneall Subaru Impreza WRX STi 1:27:25.6 +1:08.2
4 E Ordysnksi/I Stewart Mitusbishi Lancer Evo 7 1:27:29.4 +1:12.0
5 S Pedder/P Humm Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 1:27:48.1 +1:30.7