COFFS COAST TO HOST ARC, APRC FINALE

The 2022 Coffs Coast Rally will serve as a double finale for both the Motorsport Australia Rally Championship and Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

As such the November 25-27 event will see the best drivers from the Asia Pacific region congregate to compete in the northern NSW town, including competitors from Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and Indonesia just to name a few.

NSW Government support has been critical to organising the event, which will include road sections that have featured in recent World Rally Championship events.

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport and Commercial Operations Michael Smith expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in making the event possible.

“Coffs Harbour has been a favourite for all of us at Motorsport Australia and is certainly no stranger to hosting world class rally events, so we are pleased to be welcoming the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship finale to the Coffs Coast,” Smith said.

“We are really grateful to the NSW Government and the Coffs Coast Community for their continued support of this international event.

“With the round also doubling as the final for our own Motorsport Australia Rally Championship, all eyes will be on Coffs Coast and New South Wales as we crown our 2022 champions.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole was looking forward to welcoming the major rally event as part of his state’s COVID recovery.

“After cancellations due to bushfires, storms and COVID-19, regional NSW deserves to host top class events like the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, and I want to thank Motorsport Australia for their commitment to Coffs Harbour,” Mr Toole said.

Motorsport Australia and the NSW Government have agreed to roll over the funding allocated for the 2021 event to stage the event next year.

Motorsport Australia and the FIA have also confirmed the Adelaide Hills Rally event will act as a qualifier for the APRC finale, meaning competitors who take on the South Australian event will be eligible for the FIA crown in Coffs Harbour.

The Adelaide Hills Rally takes place from October 21-23.