Citroen to enter two cars in 2014 ARC

At an unveiling in Coffs Harbour this afternoon Citroen Automobiles Australia revealed it will field a two-car team in next year's Australian Rally Championship.

Under the banner of Team Citroen Australia Adrian Coppin, along with regular co-driver Tim Batten, will join forces with Tony Sullens and co-driver Julia Barkley, in a pair of front-wheel drive, turbo-charged Citroen DS3 R3’s.

``Citroen has a great heritage in rallying, especially in the World Rally Championship, with eight manufacturer’s wins and nine driver’s Championships with Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena,’’ said Citroen Automobiles Australia General Manager John Startari.

``We are very excited to have the opportunity to extend this to local rallying with our entry into the ARC. This is the first time Citroen Australia has had a factory backed team in the event and this gives CAA the opportunity to prove the quality and reliability of our cars in the tough sport of rallying.’’

Adrian Coppin has risen to prominence over the past couple of seasons in the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship, pushing the limits of his R2 spec Ford Fiesta against the more powerful Honda’s and Renault’s.

In fact Coppin, and co-driver Batten, will get an early taste of the Citroen in a fortnights time when they travel to the other side of the World to compete in Rally Croatia at the wheel of a DS3 R3.
Sullens, from the New South Wales Central Coast, has been a rally regular over the past decade, rising to immediate prominence when he knocked off more fancied rivals at the 2007 Targa Tasmania at the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRX.

Meanwhile Sullens’ co-driver Julia Barkley brings a wealth of experience to the team, having previously co-driven with the likes of Finnish hot shot Juha Kangas.

Steering the programme will be Ron Cremen, a name familiar in both Australian and Middle Eastern rally circles after many years as both a top-level competitor and manager. More recently Cremen has been the personal manager for Khalid Al Qassimi and developing young driver talent in Abu Dhabi.

"It is with a great deal of pride and satisfaction that we have been able to make this project a reality,’’ said Cremen.

``With the support of Citroën Australia, Citroën Racing and Fibertech Medical Australia, our team of youth and experience looks forward to the demanding challenges of the 2014 Australian Rally Championship in the DS3 R3.’’ 

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