A new addition to the tarmac rally scene this year will be the privately-entered Renault Megane R.S. 250 Cup of Nick Strange. This 2WD hot hatch has been built to contest the 2012 CAMS Australian Modern Tarmac Rally Championship, debuting at Rally Calder from 1-4 March 2012. Strange will be joined by seasoned rally campaigner Alastair Walker in the navigator’s seat for the Rally Calder round.
To be run entirely within the Calder Park complex in Melbourne, Rally Calder has been dubbed as one of the most comprehensive and unique motorsport events to be staged in Australia and is designed to provide spectators and the public non-stop motorsport action across three incredible days. The event is also Round 1 of the Australian Rally Championship.
Having started rallying in 2008, Strange spent the majority of last year considering options to build a new, unique and competitive tarmac rally car. In the end, deciding on the Renault was easy for Strange. “Most of my racing experience has been in front-wheel drive cars, and the new RENAULTsport Megane ticked all the right boxes in terms of performance and value,” Strange said.
“I purchased the vehicle straight from the showroom floor and spent the back half of last year developing it to be a force in tarmac rally.”
Strange recently tested the car at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park and says the car is quick and easy to drive. “Even in near standard M1-spec, this car handles amazingly in the wet and the dry, and will really suit the types of stages planned for Rally Calder. Up against Lamborghinis and Nissan GTRs, a win is out of the question, but we will be looking to be the quickest 2WD car in our class.”
Strange and Walker are also planning to compete in the remaining rounds of the tarmac championship, in South Australia and Western Australia later this year. Beyond that, Strange will be looking at options to compete in the Australian Rally Championship in 2013.
Rally Calder gets underway with a ceremonial start at the West Waters Hotel, Caroline Springs, Victoria on the evening of Thursday, 1 March 2012. Further details of the Rally Calder event can be found at: www.rally.com.au.
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