The 2022 Australian Rally Champion and last year’s runner-up, Bates will compete in the WRC2 class in Portugal. The second-generation driver will be driving Toyota’s new Rally2 car, with Sydney-based SafetyCulture as his team.
Bates will start his first WRC round with his familiar co-driver, Anthony McLoughlin.
“I can’t wait to get to Portugal. From what I’ve seen, it’s always an incredibly tough event, but I’m excited to tackle it and see what we can achieve,” says Bates.
“I’ve been dreaming about this opportunity for a while, so it feels a bit surreal to finally get the chance.”
In Portugal, Bates’s speed will be truly tested in the WRC2 class, as the gravel race will likely feature Finnish drivers Emil Lindholm, Teemu Suninen, Sami Pajari, Roope Korhonen, and Lauri Joona. Moreover, Bates will also face challenges from the likes of Oliver Solberg and Gus Greensmith, making it essential for the Australian to bring his best game to Southern Europe.
SafetyCulture’s boss, known himself in the rally world, Luke Anear praises his protégé.
“Lewis is an incredible Aussie talent, so we’re really proud to be backing him. He’s a team player and one of the hardest workers in rallying,” Anear emphasizes.
The service park for the Rally de Portugal will once again be in the city of Matosinhos. The race is scheduled for May 9-12.
