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Australian dual gold medallist Kieren Perkins has claimed class victory in the
2004 Grand Prix Rally, eclipsing a trio of race-hardened Stillwell brothers in
the process.
All were mounted in supercharged John Cooper Works modified MINI Cooper S
cars.
Kieren and navigator David Vervaart finished 14th overall from a starting
field of 113 competitors.
The Perkins/Vervaart JCW MINI Cooper S humbled far more powerful and exotic
supercars along the way, scoping an outright first place overall on one of the
driving tests at Bright, in regional Victoria.
“It’s a fantastic feeling to secure a class win,” said a revved up Kieren at
the end of his third Grand Prix Rally.
“Winning the Bright street stage auto test outright was a highlight, and our
racing lap of Philip Island gave me a huge buzz. It was a shame to stop. I could
have gone on for a few more laps.”
The stage win for the nimble handling, feisty 147 kW supercharged 1.6-litre
four-cylinder was no mean achievement, out-gunning far more expensive exotica
such as Porsche GT3 and 911 Turbos.
Hot on the tailpipes of the Perkins/Vervaart car, and finishing 21st overall,
was Chris Stillwell, CEO of the Stillwell Motor Group and son of Australian
racing legend, the late Bib Stillwell.
Kieren and Chris Stillwell wrestled for class honours throughout the event.
“We had lots of fun and it was good to give Kieren some stick,” said a
delighted Chris Stillwell at the rally’s close. “He was very quick, and very
smooth.”
Kieren said his recipe for success was simple.
“It was a real team effort, you've got to work together as a team to make
sure you're quick in the speed tests and get the navigation tests right.”
Navigator David Vervaart paid tribute to the swimmer’s competitive spirit.
“Our objective was to win our class and finish as high as possible overall. I
think we achieved our goal.”
“We would have been inside the overall top ten on Day One if the last stage
hadn’t been cancelled after we’d run it,” David lamented.
The five-day event covered 1,200 km and included more than 30 tests of driver
skill, navigation and outright speed.
Kieren’s red JCW MINI Cooper S was emblazoned with a Union Jack roof flag
along with white racing stripes on the bonnet and extra driving lights. It was
also fitted with body-hugging JCW leather-covered sports seats for extra comfort
on the high-pressure competitive stages.
The John Cooper Works engine modifications package boosts the supercharged
MINI Cooper S to 147 kW at 6,950 rpm with 240 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, an
improvement over the standard car that all drivers noticed.
“The JCW kit made all the difference and sounded fantastic,” Kieren said.
“There was instant acceleration, it was fun to drive, and the body kit was
fabulous. It really looked the part.”
“The JCW kit made an already fantastic car even better. The extra power and
torque was noticeable, especially on the high speed sections.” David added.
“The car felt faster than the MINI Cooper S we campaigned last year, and it
really stuck to the road like it was glued.”
The team used 215/45 17 Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber designed to handle fast
road work.
Not only did the fast-finishing Chris Stillwell have to hold off Kieren
Perkins, but Stillwell sibling rivalry added two more thorns in the side for the
keen racer.
Brothers Nick and Michael were also JCW MINI Cooper S-mounted and out for
victory.
The three Stillwell MINIs attracted attention all through Victoria, possibly
because their hard driving reminded crowds of scenes from last year’s movie “The
Italian Job”.
“The three cars crossed the finish line at Albert Park absolutely nose to
tail. But we didn’t find any gold bars in the boot,” Chris confirmed.
The brothers took their internecine rivalry to the flag, with Nick kissing a
cone on the very last section of the very last stage, collecting the vital
penalty points that put him out of honours contention.
In fact, the Stillwells are so enthused by the five-day event they have
commissioned their own Stillwell Sibling Rivalry Trophy, presented to the
highest-placed brother each year.
“I’m looking forward to having my name engraved on it and showing it off on
the mantelpiece,” Chris said.
Speedy siblings and Olympic champions weren’t the only MINI Cooper drivers to
taste rally excitement.
Shepparton Mayor Anne McCamish made her motor sport debut, standing in for
Nick Stillwell on the first day of the rally.
"I've always been a keen motor sport fan and it was great fun,” the Mayor
said.
Rally facts
- This was the 17th running of the Grand Prix Rally.
- More than 5,000 competitors have taken part.
- It is Australia’s most enduring and successful road-touring event.
- It is open to drivers of all skill levels.
- Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham, Peter Brock, and Norm Beechey, have
lined up in the past against amateur racers from across Australia.
- Cars are divided into Modern and Classic (built pre-1982) class divisions.
- More than 30 driving tests include unlimited speed events at Winton and
Phillip Island race tracks and Holden’s secret Proving Grounds at Lang Lang, as
well as motorkhanas, hill-climbs and skill tests.
- Held over five days, the 1,200 km event starts in Shepparton and finishes at
the Grand Prix Circuit in Albert Park. Overnight stops are at Bright, Lakes
Entrance, Traralgon and Cowes.
- A total of 113 cars turned out for the start in Shepparton on Saturday 28
February, with a field worth in excess of $10 million.
- The finishing field will enjoy a parade lap of the Grand Prix circuit over
race weekend.
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