Former Honda driver Mark Pedder and co-driver Claire Dowling have decided to go offshore this year in a bid to win the Pacific Cup and broaden their rally horizons.
Pedder, who with team mate Eli Evans, won the 2012 and 2013 Australian Rally Manufacturers Championship, has long wanted to compete overseas and found the Pacific Cup to be well suited to his needs. Pedder will drive a Mitsubishi Evo X.
“It’s been a goal of mine to compete overseas and the Pacific Cup ticks the boxes in regards to the events and hopefully I can find the budget to do the complete APRC,” Pedder said.
"I will certainly miss the ARC, Honda and all the people at Evans Motorsport, but to jump back into a 4WD is exciting and I believe the experience I gained by driving a front wheel drive car has definitely made me a better driver.
Co-driver Claire Dowling, who has competed with Pedder for the last two years, is excited by the pair’s calendar for the year.
“Whilst I will miss competing in Australia, I think it is important for Mark and I to do some different types of events for fun and experience. No doubt we’ll be back on home soil in the future though!”
Pedder and Dowling will team up with highly regarded motorsport company RaceTorque for their campaign. RaceTorque Director, Dave McShane is pleased to have the pair on board.
“Obviously we used to run the Pedder's cars in the Australian Rally Championship so I’m really looking forward to working with Mark again and using our overseas competition experience to his benefit,” said McShane.
The Pacific Cup is part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and consists of rounds in New Zealand, New Caledonia and Australia. The team hope to test the Group N Mitsubishi Evo X in Perth prior to the first round in New Zealand’s picturesque North Island, the Rally of Whangarei, in April.
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