FINAL ARC ROUND CONFIRMED FOR NEW SOUTH WALES

Motorsport Australia has confirmed the third and final round of the 2021 Motorsport Australia Rally Championship will be held in New South Wales in December.

The newly scheduled event is planned for December 11, coinciding with organiser Canberra Light Car Club’s existing event, the Kosciuszko Automotive Monaro Stages Rally.

The full itinerary and competitor details will be released in weeks to come, but the event will contain all of the expected elements of an ARC sprint event.

ARC entrants can expect a rally of 150km or more, including a Power Stage that presents bonus Championship points to contest.

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations Michael Smith was excited to confirm the new event after several COVID-related cancellations.

“This year has certainly been a difficult one for our national championships, so it’s a pleasure to be confirming an extra round of the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship,” Smith said.

“With three rounds now making up the ARC calendar for 2021, in conjunction with the Australian Rally Commission, we can confirm that a Championship will be awarded if the event can proceed as planned.

“Given increasing vaccination numbers and the various road maps in place across the country, we are extremely hopeful that we can have the vast majority of competitors taking part.

“I’d like to thank the Light Car Club of Canberra for its co-operation and support in making this event a reality, along with our ARC organising team, and of course our loyal commercial partners for their ongoing support this year.

“The event will again include the Elysian Energy Power Stage as per the opening two rounds. The rally will also provide us an opportunity to crown the White Wolf Constructions Production Cup, Shamrock Haulage 2WD Cup and the Junior Cup winners for 2021.”

Light Car Club of Canberra President Mike Behnke was looking forward to welcoming national competitors.

“We’re very proud of what the LCCC has achieved in building this event from the ground up over recent years,” Behnke said.

“To have the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship finale as part of our 2021 event is an honour for all of us, and is recognition of the many hours of hard work from everyone.

“This event promises to be a terrific opportunity for rally starved crews to put themselves to the test against the best in Australia, and to enjoy the magnificent roads that make the event so popular, at the end of what has been a difficult year.”

The announcement of the new ARC event comes after both the Adelaide Hills and Coffs Coast rounds were cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdowns and border restrictions.

Canberra brothers Harry and Lewis Bates lead the ARC Drivers’ Championship after two rounds, sitting on 220 and 165 points respectively.

Seven rounds are scheduled for the 2022 Motorsport Australia Rally Championship calendar.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.