Canberra racer Harry Bates has secured the best win of his budding career after securing the Australian Rally Championship honours at the National Capital Rally on Sunday.
Bates enjoyed a "perfect weekend" after protecting his day one advantage with another stellar effort at Tidbinbilla to clinch the round victory by one minute and 23 seconds.
The win keeps Bates in top three ARC standings alongside Molly Taylor and Nathan Quinn, with three of five rounds complete in Australia's premier off road racing championships.
"We're over the moon, we came into today with a bit of a lead and hoped to maintain it but to take the win by over a minute is really exciting," Bates said.
"Everything was thrown at us so to bring it home strong was great, I'm stoked, it's been the perfect weekend and we couldn't have asked for any more."
Bates was well supported at his home rally and said the best win of his career was made extra special by saluting in front of family and friends.
"To win at home in front of family and friends is really special, I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be here and their support has been amazing," Bates said.
"This year's event has been particularly exciting, lots and lots of people and you can see them on the stages it's a nice feeling to have that at home.
"You've got to love your local rally and the National Capital Rally really turned it on, it has been an amazing event and competing in front of family and friends is something I'm always grateful for, the win is just icing on the cake."
Harry's father Neal failed to complete day one due to steering issues, while his brother Lewis finished back in the pack.
"It's good to have a clean run regardless, my heart goes out to my dad and Lewis they don't deserve to have an average weekend but if I have to be the one to carry the flag so be it," Bates said.
"We'll take the three months before the next race to assess where we're at and see where we can improve and hopefully we can all come back even stronger in South Australia."
