Adrian Coppin revealed in Queensland that he’d not only attended a test with the Pedders Suspension Rally Team, but also driven their Peugeot 208 ‘Maxi’ car, as the young Canberran keeps his options open for 2016.
“I was very grateful to Race Torque and Pedders for giving me the opportunity to drive it. I was in Portugal watching the WRC with Dave (McShane, Race Torque) and Mark (Pedder), and over a few beers the topic came up and I jumped at it,” confirmed Coppin when quizzed on the rumoured test.
With the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship reverting back to four-wheel drive as the premier category next season, current and past competitors are beginning to look at their options, including Adrian.
Coppin travelled to Melbourne a fortnight before the round in Queensland to drive the car on a private gravel test track on the outskirts of Melbourne.
“It’s a great car, very cool bit of gear, it’s like nothing I’ve ever driven before! It just does so much cool stuff!” beamed Adrian.
Coppin, who currently campaigns a front-wheel drive Citroen DS3 in the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally, admitted that the ‘Maxi’ car drive was his first ever taste of a four-wheel drive rally car. And that he liked what he felt!
“It was a great experience to see what a car capable of winning next year with the Championship going to four-wheel drive again is like. I’m not sure what next year holds yet, but I need to make that transition to four-wheel drive and this is just one possible path,” he said.
Coppin completed just under twenty kilometres in the car, and it was enough to excite him to want more.
“A very cool car, and I think if we can get a few more out there in the ARC I think it’d be amazing and definitely get fans excited about the future direction of the sport!”
“I owe Dave and Mark a few beers for the test, and maybe a few more beers if they let me drive it again!” he laughed.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
