Chris Stilling, 21, will contest just his second rally at Cooma this weekend after having won the ACT Clubman, Development and Novice awards at his first ever rally drive in Narooma.
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Stilling is one of rallying's young guns battling for points in the final round of the ACT and NSW championship, clubman and development rally series. The Monaro Stages rally will be held this Saturday on shire and forest roads surrounding the Cooma region.
Stilling's rivals for the NSW Development Series include James Dimmock who came second behind Stilling at Narooma also in his first event as a driver and Michael Stewart and Jack Mobbs who competed in previous rounds. It is shaping up as a battle between drivers Stilling and Dimmock in the classic 2WDs against Stewart and Mobbs in 4WD Subarus.
Chris Stilling will be driving the Manning Automotive Datsun Stanza and attributes his achievement in his first rally to skills passed on by his father, Australian Classic rally champion, Trevor Stilling who recently finished first in Adelaide.
Dimmock also credited his father Peter Dimmock, who will contest the East Coast Classic series on Saturday where he hold third, just 12 points back from the front-runners.
When asked about his strategy for the Cooma rally Chris Stilling said, "My goal is to drive my own rally and get to the finish. I will be challenging myself and taking it as a big learning experience"
Chris Stilling will again be partnered by navigator Rae Waterhouse. 'Rae keeps me on course, and she is a valued member of the team', said Stilling.
While Stilling remains modest about his achievements in his first rally drive aboard the Datsun 2WD the more experienced drivers made comment that he did very well and finished ahead of one or two faster 4WDs.
"We decided to back Stilling at Cooma based on his eagerness to develop further and his demonstrated driving skills. He is a champion in the making," his sponsors Simply Music Management said.
In just his second event as a driver, Stilling is tipped as a favourite for a top-three finish in the development and clubman series.
The Kosciusko Automotive Monaro Rally starts at 9am on Saturday next to the Cooma Bowling Club. Spectator guides at lightcarclub.org.au.
