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ME: Stage 3 had Branch return to the top of<br />
the podium, as you brought ‘er home in 4th –<br />
preserving the overall lead ahead of Dabrowski<br />
by 5:05. At this point Branch was still a ways<br />
back, but no doubt in the hunt for the overall<br />
victory. What were your thoughts following Stage<br />
3, both as the race leader and your chance at the<br />
victory, as well as the fact that you were there to<br />
support Branch and his effort at victory, along<br />
with accumulating the most points possible for the<br />
overall season WRRC title?<br />
AM: It started to sink in a bit at that point that I had<br />
a good shot at winning it. Of course I knew my job<br />
was to help Ross in any way that I could. He has<br />
a great chance at winning the championship this<br />
year and I think we both made a great team by<br />
getting through some challenging moments in this<br />
race. At this point I was just trying to do the best<br />
job I could for the team and myself.<br />
ME: Without a doubt, the biggest news out of<br />
Stage 4 was Branch taking the lead racers –<br />
Dabrowski and 3rd place (at the time) Jean-Loup<br />
Lepan (DUUST Rally) – purposely off the track on<br />
a wild goose chase to give you the stage win and<br />
a commanding 10:14 lead over Dabrowski (22:05<br />
over Lepan and 47:55 over Branch) heading into<br />
the 5th and final stage of the ADDC. Talk about this<br />
move, the teamwork from Branch, being the turning<br />
point of the race that allowed you to bring home the<br />
victory – your first ever overall WRRC win.<br />
AM: Haha, yeah, it was an interesting one for<br />
sure. Ross knew it was going to be pretty tough to<br />
make up the time he needed and was still going<br />
for the overall podium. It’s always tough in the<br />
dunes when you are opening the stage to not lose<br />
time, so he brought out some tricks which worked<br />
in my favor - and almost worked how he wanted<br />
for himself. I always try my best to stay focused<br />
on my nav and trust myself, so I was just out there<br />
doing my own thing and picking what I think is<br />
the best line. It’s never a nice feeling following<br />
someone else’s line and then getting lost.<br />
ME: Comfortable lead heading into the final Stage<br />
5, but by no means were you out of the woods,<br />
er, desert yet. Talk about the Monster Energy/<br />
Hero Motosports game plan with you and Branch<br />
heading into Stage 5, things you and Branch, as<br />
well as J-Rod, had discussed.<br />
AM: We knew my lead was enough going into<br />
the last stage even if the guys behind me caught<br />
me, barring any silly mistakes from my side. Ross<br />
and J-Rod were really supportive and told me to<br />
just keep doing what I’ve been doing, stay calm<br />
and just manage the race. I didn’t want to let the<br />
moment get to me and just tried to play it as smart<br />
as I could and eliminate as much risk as possible.<br />
The Monster Energy/Hero Motorsports team were<br />
really on point with everything and so supportive<br />
throughout the whole race.<br />
ME: Did you get any sleep the night before Stage 5?<br />
AM: I’m a pretty relaxed and calm person so I<br />
slept like a baby! Haha.. I’m sure it helps when<br />
you’ve been racing in some gnarly dunes all week<br />
to get a good night’s rest too! Honestly, I was<br />
just so stoked to be in that position and prove to<br />
myself that I had what it takes to get the job done.