APRC Coordinator

WELCOME TO THE 2012 ASIA PACIFIC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

APRC 2012 will feature 6 events on the calendar, 3 in the Pacific region and 3 in the Asia region.

The need to accommodate WRC events in the region, as well as considering local requirements, has meant a change of rotation of the events for 2012.  Starting with the first event in Whangarei (New Zealand) in early April, before completing the other Pacific Cup events, Noumea (New Caledonia) and Queensland (Australia).  Then moving northwest to Johor (Malaysia) and Hokkaido (Japan) with the final event of 2012 in November in Longyou (China).

 
As in previous years, the Asia and Pacific Cups will again feature as opportunities for teams to be a part of APRC, without the need to commit to nominating 6 events for the year. This has proved successful with several drivers taking this option.   Indications are that the financial tide has turned, with increased interest in motorsport activities, and teams returning to APRC and being a part of this demanding and challenging championship.
 
 APRC is no longer the sole domain of the traditional Group N4 cars, with S2000 cars making their presence well and truly defined.  With the likely appearance of at least one more Class 2 manufacturer in the series in 2012, the dominance of the traditional Group N4 class cars of Mitsubishi and Subaru will again be under threat.  The introduction of the new Super 2000 class for both normally aspirated 2 litre cars and turbo-charged 1600cc cars has been a natural progression and has paved the way for future competition in the APRC.   Added to this is the introduction of the R4 category which will enable currently homologated Group N4 cars to compete head on with these other Class 2 cars.
  
This year’s calendar has been set and confirmed by the FIA with the number of rounds confirmed as 6.  Registered competitors are required to nominate and contest all 6 rounds at the time of registration, and thus score points at those events.

A similar requirement for the Asia and Pacific Cups, where competitors are required to nominate the 3 Asia rounds, or the 3 Pacific rounds. It is possible to register for the APRC (nominating 6 events) and one of the Cups.

2012 Features
•    APRC 2012 will again include a Junior Trophy for drivers competing in 1600cc 2WD cars. Qualifying events will be New Zealand,  Australia, Malaysia and Japan. This will be for drivers born on or after 1 January 1983.

•    After the successful introduction in 2011, theTeam Award will again provide opportunities for teams to introduce new drivers to the series and score team points. Or simply nominate existing team drivers. 

 •    After much debate, the Wildcard entries will no longer be included in the APRC entries.

With 6 rounds spread over 8 months of the year, it will mean that team preparation will be to the highest standard to ensure successful competition at each event.
 
As any APRC event or championship information comes available I am currently sending out an email brief to all interested parties to alert them to this fact. This has proven to be very popular to update teams of developments.
 
For any interested person, team or firm, who has an interest in the APRC, and wishes to be included on the distribution list, please email me at the address below.
 
For any current information on the APRC; events, dates, logistics, shipping, documentation etc, please feel free to contact me directly.
 
In a private capacity I am providing a coordinated shipping and logistics service to all APRC competitors. Full details of this service are available on request.
 
Good rallying, and look forward to seeing you on event somewhere.
 

Murray Brown
APRC Coordinator
+64 21 464 921  mobile
+64 3 354 8186  office
+64 3 354 8187  fax

murray.brown@xtra.co.nz

APRC Updates

APRC TV