Shannon Rentsch believes that the BFGoodrich CAMS Australian Off Road Championship title is theirs to lose ahead of this weekend’s Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro.
Rentsch and co-driver Ian Rentsch have enjoyed a brilliant 2018 thus far, taking out St George and Finke earlier in the year to set up a clean sweep of the championship.
With just the final round remaining and Shannon Rentsch holding a comfortable 106 points lead over his closest rival in Toby Whateley in the drivers’ points standings, Rentsch admits this year has been one of their best.
“We have been pretty good this year. I suppose we’re probably going as well as we ever have,” Rentsch said.
“The car has been really good and we have been fast every time we have been out which has definitely given us more confidence for this one.
“Realistically the championship is ours to lose, especially with this round being points and half. We can’t afford to drop a section or anything otherwise Toby may get ahead of us.
“It’s really important for us to firstly finish and then to finish well.”
Despite going into the race with a lot of confidence, the Rentschs still have to overcome the obvious obstacles that prevented them from a solid result in last year’s event.
The circuit may also be foreign to the eight-time champions after the pair was unable to make it past the first two laps due to an accident with a tree, ending their 2017 campaign.
This time round, Rentsch knows what is required for that desired finish.
“We are really looking forward to this weekend because it’s almost like new track for us,” Rentsch explained.
“We didn’t get far last year due to the accident on the first lap, but I am excited to get back out there, although I will probably go slow past that tree I hit.
“I have a good idea of the circuit so right now, the main worry for us is the weather. We’re just hoping there isn’t too much rain last year.”
As the final around approaches and the Rentschs within touching distance of their incredible ninth title, preparation for the father-son team has taken up a lot spare time.
While the goal for the Rentsch is to finish, there is no beating around the bush as to how important prologue is in setting them up for what will be a memorable victory.
“We have done a lot of work on the car since Finke,” Rentsch added.
“It’s the longest race in the calendar and probably the longest race in Australia at the minute so it’s pretty important to finish without any trouble.
“Obviously we’d like to win the race but to win the outright championship as well.”
“We will get into on Saturday and hopefully get into a good start at the prologue and fingers crossed the weather stays good.”
The Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro takes place on 10-12 August, with Outright and Class Champion to be crowned at the conclusion of the event.
