Currently in Launceston preparing for this weekend’s Rally Tasmania tarmac event, Crocker’s official comment was “nothing yet” when asked what he was doing this year.
“Les (Walkden) was very keen to do the Production World Rally Championship, but that fell through because of a lack of funding,” Crocker told RallySport Magazine today.
“The team are still in discussions about an Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) program, or we could end up doing selected events only, such as Rally New Zealand.”
Crocker hasn’t ruled out an Australian Rally Championship program either.
“I’d love to do the ARC,” he enthused. “Some people might say that it would be a backward step to do the ARC again, but the competition is just as good in the ARC as in the APRC.
“It’d be awesome to be competing locally again against guys like Simon Evans and Scott Pedder, but I guess we’ll have to just wait and see what transpires.”
Subaru Australia have no motorsport program for 2006, and although Crocker spoke to other manufacturers about their plans for 2007, he sees his future with the manufacturer that helped him win three consecutive Australian titles between 2003 and 2005.
“I don’t know what Subaru’s motorsport plans are for the future, but they have indicated they’d like me to stay involved with the brand,” he added. “I can only presume that when the 2008 Impreza WRX is released they will want to use it in motorsport, and hopefully I can be involved.”
Crocker contested his first tarmac event, the Mt Buller Sprint, last November, finishing a strong second, and then backed that up with a fourth place in the Lake Mountain Sprint last month.
This weekend will see him contest his first full tarmac rally, and although he has no expectations of winning the event, he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“It will be a new experience, especially in relation to how the car responds to longer special stages on tarmac when the brakes and tyres will generate a lot more heat.
“With guys of the calibre of Jason White, Jim Richards, Warwick Rooklyn and Lake Mountain winner, Alan Simonsen, the competition will be tough, but I’m sure it will be great fun.”
Crocker added that he enjoyed the tarmac events, and their more relaxed atmosphere.
“I don’t find them as enjoyable as gravel rallies, but it’s great to be out there competing, whatever the surface,” he said.
He will continue to be co-driven by Ben Atkinson, brother of Subaru WRC star Chris Atkinson.
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