ONE EVENT SHOOTOUT REPLACES ARC

One event shootout replaces Australian Rally Championship in 2020 – Photo: Supplied

Motorsport Australia has announced due to ongoing border closures and quarantine measures that the Australian Rally Championship will not be awarded this year, instead a single event shootout will take place.

By HEATH McALPINE

In place of the ARC, the Motorsport Australia Rally Cup will be up for grabs at the National Capital Rally scheduled for November.

A number of ARC contenders have already signalled their interest in contesting the Motorsport Australia Rally Cup as organisers hope borders will be re-opened to allow a large number of competitors to compete.

A further initiative has been launched, the Hoosier Challenge, will be run at nominated state-level events across the country.

Eligible to entrants running on Hoosier tyres and to non-AP4 or R5 specification cars, the Adelaide Hills Rally will be one event part of the Hoosier Challenge, alongside a round of the South Australian Rally Championship as border restrictions has forced the cancellation of the ARC component.

In unprecedented times Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said the cancellation of the ARC was a tough decision to make.

“Throughout this year, we’ve made a number of changes to our calendars to try and run events and Championships wherever possible,” Arocca said.

“Given the border closures in various states, along with the quarantine requirements should competitors have wanted to compete, unfortunately it was just not feasible to hold this year’s RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship, even in a shortened two event format.

“From a sporting point of view, it would be unfair to award a Championship, if there are a number of those unable to leave their state, or forced to quarantine for two weeks either at the event location or when they return home.

“Despite that, we want to make sure there is some exciting rally action taking place this year and the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Cup will be a great national level prize for those taking part in the Netier National Capital Rally.”

Arocca expects state-level competitors to embrace the Hoosier Challenge ahead of a renewed campaign for 2021.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen state and grassroots motorsport really shine and with the Hoosier Challenge, rally competitors will be given another great incentive to get involved in their local state events and also get a feel for the Hoosier product ahead of any ARC events in 2021,” Arocca emphasised.

“A big thank you must also go to RSEA Safety and Hoosier for their ongoing support in 2020. While this has been a difficult year for the sport, their support has been immense.”

More information will be posted on rally.com.au in the coming days.

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