Branch is a good ride away from a podium place in the W2RC and is set to become the first local to reach these heights in his third appearance. He currently sits fourth in the W2RC rankings as he lines up for the final round, Rallye du Maroc (Morocco Rally).
Branch is battling in the Moroccan desert from yesterday until October 18, as he eyes a good finish to lift him into the championship rankings. Branch has accumulated 45 points and is 11 points behind third-placed Adrien van Beveren.
Lucian Benavides of Argentina leads the charts with 80 points while Australian, Toby Price, is second with 71 points. A W2RC round win gifts 25 points and Branch will fancy his chances in the familiar North African terrain. In 2019, Branch finished second at the Merzouga Rally in Morocco while he finished ninth at the 2019 edition of the Rallye du Maroc.
It is, however, a star-studded entry list for the race and competition for places would be tough. Reigning champion, Sam Sunderland of the UK and former Dakar Rally champion, Price, are in contention. Branch had kicked off the championship with a 26th place in round one which is the Dakar Rally earlier this year as he sat 11th in the rankings.
He moved to a fifth spot after an 11th place finish in the second round, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge before he moved to sixth after the Sonora Rally. Branch has moved four places up to fourth in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) standings.
This is after Branch put up a stellar performance at the just-ended Desafio Ruta 40 held in Argentina in August. Branch finished third in the race that started last Monday and ended on Saturday. He gained 16 points for his triumph moving from position eight to four.
