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The East Coast Bullbars Four Wheel Drive National Series will be decided over the best three of four rounds, out of the six available, selected by competitors and will be open to unrestricted ARC 4WD cars, PRC, Group N, Group N Prototype, Showroom and SUV cars.
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Scott Pedder, CEO of the ECB ARC says the new Four Wheel Drive National Series will be a cost effective way, particularly for state competitors, to compete in national events while also allowing the many four wheel drive cars to continue to be used in top level Australian rallying.
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"The East Coast Bullbars Australian Four Wheel Drive National Series has been created with competitors on a budget in mind and will not have series registration fee as well as many other cost reductions." said Scott Pedder.
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"There are many four wheel drive rally cars in Australia and the ECB Four Wheel Drive National Series has been created to particularly encourage state level competitors to go beyond their borders and get involved with the national series in a cost effective way," he said.
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"As the 2012 Four Wheel Drive ARC has proven, it has been difficult for many teams to compete in all six rounds hence the change in 2013 to allow competitors to plan a national campaign over three or four rounds.
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"We hope that this encourages existing state competitors who currently compete at their local ARC round to look at expanding their sights and to compete in a few ARC events outside their home state and especially look to Rally Australia as this country's most iconic rally event."
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A portion of the ARC's 2013 television coverage will be dedicated to the Four Wheel Drive National Series on Network Ten and OneHD with the current proposal being a segment from each event on Ten and a further three times on One within the event's highlights package giving the total national minimum airtime of 144 minutes to the series .
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"The ECB Four Wheel Drive National Series is a really exciting addition to the 2013 ARC and we are certainly committed to it being a major part of the 2013 ARC by providing strong levels of promotional value," added Scott.
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"It gives competitors who aren't ready to step into the two wheel drive formula a chance to be a part of the ECB ARC and gain experience and exposure on a national level without having to change cars from the outset,"
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Scott Pedder says just because four wheel drives can no longer contest the outright championship they still have place in the ARC.
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"Rallying over the past 25 years has had a strong link with four wheel drive cars such as the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru WRX and the ECB Four Wheel Drive National Series is all about enabling these iconic cars to stay involved as the ARC heads into a new era of more market relevant vehicles.
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" I am passionate about the ARC and want to see as many competitors as possible enter and experience rallying at its best in Australia.
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"The ECB Four Wheel Drive National Series has been developed over many months in conjunction with leading four wheel drive competitors and I believe we have come up with an option for existing ARC four wheel drive competitors, state competitors and new competitors that provides incredible value." he said.
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Full details of the ECB Four Wheel Drive National Series will be released prior to Christmas within the full 2013 ARC Sporting Regulations. Please direct any enquiries relating to the 2013 ECB ARC to Katie Philps at admin@rally.com.au
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The 2013 East Coast Bullbars ARC begins in Canberra on 2-3 March with the National Capital Rally before heading to Western Australia for the Quit Forest Rally 6-7 April. Round three, Scouts Rally South Australia takes place on 25-26 May ahead of the two international events the International Rally of Queensland on12-14 July and the World Rally Championship Rally Australia on 12-15 September, while the championship concludes at Rally Victoria on 15-16 November .
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