The final round of the World Rally Championship, Rally of Great Britain is the next goal for Canberra rally driver, Adrian Coppin.
The possibility of competing in Wales in November came courtesy of a discussion with Harry Hunt’s manager at the Rally Australia post event party. Coppin has been in touch with the team and discussions are underway.
Coppin had spent a fair bit of time talking to Harry on the event, as they were close together on the road, and they agreed to have a few beers at the after party.
“I was having a drink at the after party with the guys from Harry Hunt Motorsport when I asked them if they had a car I could drive in Rally GB,” Coppin said. “The reply was positive and so we have been talking to them to see what we can put together,” Coppin added.
Hunt is a 23 year old Londoner in a rush to make his name on the international rally scene. He won three international rally titles in 2010 and was crowned winner of the 2011 FIA Production Car Cup for Drivers of 2WD Cars courtesy of his result at Rally Australia. He is also contesting the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in his Citroen DS3 R3 and will be in action on Rallye San Remo next weekend before contesting the next round of the WRC in France the following weekend.
It is understood that the team has three vehicles that may be available for Coppin, a Citroen DS3 R3, a Citroen C2 R2 Max and a Ford Fiesta R2.
“At this stage I have no idea what the possibilities are but I’d drive a billy-cart if I got the chance. We are very early on in the process but a decision will be needed quickly as we would have to leave in seven weeks if we are competing,” Adrian commented.
Britain’s World Rally Championship round has been in the series every year since the WRC was established in 1973.
Its origins date back to 1932 and, for many years, it was known as the RAC Rally in deference to the organiser, the Royal Automobile Club, before the advent of commercial sponsorship brought about a change of name.
The event uses the famous Welsh gravel forest stages renowned worldwide for their fast and undulating nature but often made slippery by rainfall and even snow and ice.
Rally GB runs from 10 to 13 November and is based in Cardiff, Wales.
Photo: Peter Whitten