All I can say to that is, what a load of crock!For the first time in the championship, a Skoda R5 has been entered, and for the past two events, with three-time champion Eli Evans at the wheel, it's been virtually in a class of its own. And so it should be, given the time, effort and countless dollars that Skoda Motorsport have spent on the car over the past three years. But that doesn't mean it should be banned from the championship. Far from it. Australia and New Zealand worked together to introduce the AP4 category as an alternative to the FIA's R5 category, not because it was any better or worse, but because it would offer a more cost-effective way for those down under to get their hands on a competitive 1600cc, turbocharged, four-wheel drive rally car.
Adrian Coppin has driven an ex-works Skoda R5 in the past two ARC rounds. Photo: Luke Whitten
Team boss, Neal Bates, told me this week that he's glad R5 cars are allowed in the ARC, and that they definitely should remain."Our job is to produce a locally-built car that is capable of matching, or bettering the stage times of an R5 car, and so far we're doing pretty well," Bates said.
Harry Bates' Toyota Yaris AP4 is nearing the pace of the Skoda Fabia R5. Photo: Dave King
Australian and NZ rally fans deserve to see the best drivers in the fastest cars. Photo: Luke Whitten
Both are expensive, both are great to watch, and both are capable of winning the ARC in the right hands.In my opinion, that's what the fans want to see, and we should leave the rules alone. Changing them now will only throw the whole sport into confusion - and we've been down that path far too many times in the past already.
Eli Evans' Mini Cooper AP4 is likely to make its ARC return in South Australian in September. Photo: Luke Whitten
Related news:
https://rallysportmag.com/heartbreak-for-glenney-young-as-evans-wins-in-canberra/ https://rallysportmag.com/aussie-ap4-wins-the-battle-of-the-toyotas-in-canberra050618/ https://rallysportmag.com/eli-evans-dominates-forest-rally-on-debut-with-skoda-fabia-r5/VIP Exclusive Content
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