TOYOTA RALLY CHAMPIONS GET SEAL OF APPROVAL FOR 2007

[Jimbo]

Team release:

Toyota's 2006 NEC Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans, and three times Australian Rally Champion Neal Bates, got up close and personal with the seals at the Sunshine Coast's Underwater World today.

The TRD team drivers enjoyed a dip with the facility's star attractions ahead of the season opening Coates Rally Queensland, taking place throughout the Sunshine Coast hinterland this weekend.

The seals puckered up to Evans and Bates in a "make-out session", before the pair dived in with the seals. The rally stars played with the seals, throwing toys and playing tug-of-war.

"They are really playful," said Simon Evans. "They've got a real personality and they seem to enjoy the human contact.

"I was a little unsure as to what it would be like, but I was taken aback by just how social they are.

"They came right up close and brushed up against us - though it wasn't the best kiss I've ever had!"


Neal Bates spent most of his time in the pool playing fetch with a frisky little fur seal.

"She was very cheeky," Bates said. "We had a piece of hose that we played fetch with and when she got it she'd go and hide it from me."

"It was a pretty solid workout, because I don't swim quite as well as the seals.

"I've swum with dolphins before, and they only seem to care about the fish that they're being fed - the seals were a lot happier to interact with us."


The swim provided a welcome diversion to the task of preparing for the first round of the 2007 NEC Australian Rally Championship.

"It's really important to be relaxed going into a rally," said Evans. "It's easy to get too psyched up for an event - but things like this help you keep calm."


The Queensland event this weekend marks the beginning of Evans' title defence after he claimed his first Australian Rally Championship last year.

Evans names Coates Rally Queensland as his favourite event, dominating last year with his co-driver wife Sue, and winning the event on his way to taking out the title.

Team mate Neal Bates finished second in Queensland last season, en route to being runner-up to Evans at the end of the season.

Coates Rally Queensland takes place throughout Saturday and Sunday in the forests around Imbil in the Sunshine Coast's hinterland.