Cox is the youngest of four New Zealand drivers to be awarded with the wildcard and amongst the benefits, he and co-driver, sister Tarryn, hope to be featured in the APRC television coverage that plays to millions not only throughout the Asia-Pacific region but also into Europe with highlights shown worldwide.
The pair will also be eligible to score points in the APRC and will be seeded ninth (third New Zealander) amongst the APRC runners, including former WRC drivers Alister McRae and Chris Atkinson, at the front of the field for the opening day which will be their highest seeding on an international event and should offer better road conditions.
With Rally Whangarei running as the third rounds of both the Asia Pacific and New Zealand Rally Championships, Cox will have twice as much to concentrate on. However with the form and speed the 18 year old has shown on the Whangarei roads in the past and on the recent Rally New Zealand, it is sure that the Taslo Engineering Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X will be present near the front of the field.
“We are very proud to receive the Asia Pacific Rally Championship Wildcard entry,” says Sloan “We still want to go well in the New Zealand Rally Championship, but it will be a big learning curve to compete amongst the international drivers.”
Rally Whangarei kicks off with an autograph session and ceremonial start in the Cameron Street mall in Whangarei on Friday, before the high speed action starts the following day with eight special stages in the Whangarei and Kaipara districts, followed by a further eight stages in the region the following day to finish off the event.
Photo: Scott Johnson
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