The APRC Rally of Canberra organisers are looking forward to welcoming an increased number of international teams next May.
Run as a joint round of the NEC Australian Rally Championship and the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, the rally already has strong support from international teams; however the announcement of a new cup being introduced into the APRC in 2008 has the potential to increase this number even further.
The FIA has approved two new drivers awards for the 2008 season – the Pacific Cup and the Asia Cup – with the Pacific Cup likely to have a positive effect on the number of international crews participating in the APRC Rally of Canberra, by making it more affordable for them to compete.
“It is a great initiative and I am glad that we can be a part of it,” said APRC Rally of Canberra organiser Mike Bell.
“The APRC Rally of Canberra is known as one of the best rallies on the APRC calendar, and the Pacific Cup has the potential to bring more international crews to Australia which will be a huge boost for the event”.
2006/2007 NEC Australian Rally Champion, Toyota Racing Development’s Simon Evans, is looking forward to Rally of Canberra and is hopeful the new initiative will introduce Australian rallying to more international crews.
“Rally of Canberra is a fantastic event, not only do we get a chance to compete on the same stages as some great international drivers, but we get to showcase what rallying in Australia is all about to international rally fans and media,” said Evans.
“We have a great group of competitors in the NEC ARC and every event provides a new challenge, but I always look forward to the opportunity to see how we stack up against some of the international drivers,” he added.
Former Australian Rally Champion and current APRC Champion Cody Crocker is excited about the potential both the Pacific Cup and its counterpart the Asia Cup have for the APRC.
“I always love coming back and competing in Australia, it’s great to get back out on the roads and compare times with guys like Simon.”
“Canberra is one of best places in the world to go rallying and the APRC Rally of Canberra is a fantastic event, it has great infrastructure and fantastic roads, best of all it is different every year, you are always challenged in new ways whenever you return.”
“If the new cup concept can increase the number of international crews coming to Australia then it is only going to strengthen the rally further,” added Crocker.
The APRC Rally of Canberra will be held in the forests around Canberra 10th – 11th May 2008.
Source: rally.com.au
