Martin Prokop, Bernardo Sousa and Eyvind Brynildsen from the Production World Rally Championship, Thursday, took part in a challenge with former World and Australian Ironman Champion, Dwayne Thuys.

It followed Thuys taking to the roads in the morning when he was given a co-drive experience at shakedown by PWRC leader Armindo Araujo.

Ahead of the start of Repco Rally Australia the PWRC stars were set a series of surfing challenges by the local Ironman star, who is now a lifesaver at Salts Surf Club.

Martin Prokop said: “It was really good fun. It’s good to try new things and I had never surfed before. I think I have a bit more practice to do also!”

“What a fantastic experience!” commented Bernardo Sousa. “It was superb to be in the open water and surfing certainly throws up some challenges. It’s definitely harder for me to put a surf board where I would like it to go than a car!”

“We went out on the life saver boat and I must have been only fifty metres away from a whale – it was amazing!” added Brynildsen. “Dwayne was a really good coach for us and I’m really pleased that I got the opportunity to take part during our trip to Australia.”

Thuys was equally impressed with his experience at the hands of Araujo this morning. “The co-drive today was easily the most exciting and scariest thing I have ever done! I was shaking afterwards and it blew me away. I have so much respect for the drivers after that and I’m sure that all the spectators this weekend will go away amazed at the skill of the drivers.

“This afternoon was a chance to get my own back, and also introduce some Australian culture to the guys while they’re here. We’re in a fantastic location for Rally Australia so it was only right that we show some of the drivers some of what the area has to offer.”