"There is a wealth of young rallying talent in New Zealand," said Carr. "But we haven’t seen a New Zealander take on the world’s rally stars since the late Possum Bourne proved such a success internationally."

The first programme in the rising stars scholarship will provide the winner with a support package worth approximately $50,000, including a professionally prepared Group N N3 front-wheel-drive rally car, to compete in all five rounds of the New Zealand Rally Championship plus Rally New Zealand in 2009.

The next step is a development award, which aims to promote the Group N3 class as a starting point for up-and-coming rally drivers. The winner receives $50,000 towards the cost of preparing and racing a Group N N4 (4WD) car in 2010′s NZRC and Rally New Zealand.

The final tier is the international award for drivers already competing in Group N 4WD cars. The winner of that category gets expenses to the tune of $50,000 that must be used in 2010 to compete in an overseas Asia Pacific Rally Championship, a WRC event, or the Pirelli star driver final overseas.

"Take five-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb, for example," said Carr. "He was French national and FIA two-wheel-drive champion before he entered the WRC in 2002. The success of drivers like Scott Dixon can be traced back to the implementation of a strong career development programme".

"We believe our rising stars’ rally programmes will play an important role in offering the focused opportunities needed to enable more young Kiwi drivers to succeed on the world stage."

Source: www.nzherald.co.nz

Photos courtesy of www.linear-photographs.com

Crocker and Atkinson joined forces at the start of 2006, and the pair have been unstoppable in the APRC. Having won three consecutive national titles, Crocker found himself without a drive when Subaru Australia withdrew from the Australian championship at the end of 2005. But when Les Walkden stepped in with an APRC drive the partnership was forged, and the Crocker/Atkinson combination began to dominate the series from the opening round in Canberra.

It’s a partnership that has yielded an incredible 15 wins from 18 starts, claiming three titles in as many years. And it appears the competition won’t be getting a break in 2009. "We’re feeling top of the world right now! I can’t ask for a better end to a tough season! The Motor Image crew has been instrumental in our success this season and I’m extremely appreciative of their efforts. We’ll be back next season and I look forward to doing everyone proud again", a happy Crocker said after winning rally China in November.

APRC 2009 kicks off on the 9th of April, the crews returning to sun-soaked islands of New Caledonia.

"This will be our first snow and ice rally, though Brian did drive on the ice last January at the Porsche Driving School in Finland", Fleur said, happy to publicise the news after weeks of negotiating to confirm their participation at the event.

And as if the snow and ice won’t pose enough of a challenge, stages run in the dark will add just a little extra spice to the event.

The Arctic Lapland Rally starts on January 23, and more information can be found at: http://www.arcticrally.fi/english/mainpage.html

Gill, who was optimistic of making an impact in his P-WRC debut, was 15th by the second stage. But the next stage, Myherin 1, proved decisive as he rolled the car, unaware of the ice formation and poor road conditions.

“When we started the stage, we were given instructions of snow at a certain point. But the ice formation was at least 700-800 meters ahead of the danger mark. I guess the organisers got it wrong. Many cars were caught on the wrong foot,” Gill said.

Source: teamsidvin.com

Photos courtesy of Gabriel Cavada and Martin.B

For Green and co-driver Fleur Pedersen, just making it to the start line was a challange. After claiming second place at Rally Thailand on the previous weekend, it looked like they would not arrive in time to recce Rally Shaowu. Like other visitors to Thailand, their travel plans were disrupted by the political protests that saw Bangkok airports blockaded for more than a week.

"We were able to fly out on Wednesday afternoon to Hong Kong, before two more flights to reach the nearest airport to Shaowu", explained co-driver Pedersen. "We eventually reached our hotel in Shaowu on Thursday evening. Then it was recce the next morning before the Super Special stage and ceremonial start at 1:30pm. It was a busy day!"

Without the benefit of Wednesday’s recce, the Kiwi team did extremely well to sit in 6th place for most of Saturday’s stages. "We were going very well, and setting some very competitive times. However, on stage 6 we slid a little wide on a right-hand corner. The left-rear glanced a bank, but at the same time the left rear wheel also dropped off a small concrete edge of the road. We broke the bottom arm and pulled out the half shaft".

Although they were unable to finish leg 1, Green and Pedersen restarted on Sunday morning and were again on the pace. Part of the strong South East Motor Yu Million team, they eventually completed the leg 3rd fastest in their Mitsubishi Lancer.

For Dean Herridge and his co-driver Chris Murphy, their experience of Rally Shaowu was completely different. Having won the CRC classification at China Rally last month, Herridge and Subaru Rally Team China arrived in Shaowu on a high, confident they could claim another podium in the 2008 Impreza STI.

Setting times competitive with the leading Mitsubishis of Juha Salo and Jarkko Miettinen, Herridge finishedthe opening day in third place. "But we made some changes (during the day), which made the Impreza much nicer to drive. I was lot happier and more confident", said Herridge at the end of Saturday’s stages. "Jarkko is only 18 seconds in front of us, so he is the target for tomorrow".

But Sundays stages weren’t so kind to the West Australian, and midway through the day his rally took a dramatic turn. "Two kilometres from the end of the SS4 we hit a big hole on a fast right-hander. Hard enough to break the lower control arm, snapped the top of the suspension, the steering arm and then pulled the driveshaft from the gearbox. The wheel was hanging out near my door!"

Desperately trying to drive the 10km back to service park with the front-right wheel dragging on the ground, the tyre eventually caught fire. "Luckily we stopped in front of the local fire department. Which was handy because the tyre continued to reignite for some time!", Dean explained.

"Obviously today has been a disappointing way to end the year. But we have so many positives to take away from this season. The team and I are very happy with the results we’ve managed to achieve in 2008".

So not the way either team would have like to finished their seasons, but at least with pointers of better results to come. Maybe Fleur Pedersen summed it up the best. "The Chinese have a saying; ‘Thats Rally!’"

Rally Shaowu Final Results:

Jarkko Miettinen 2:00:23.9
Tony Green +1:27.9
Cao Liu Dong +5:41.9
Xu Jun +7:52.1
Li Wei +7:58.3
Fan Fan +8:21.0

Photos courtesy of www.sports.cn and Dean Herridge.

Naren this year became the first Indian to drive in the WRC series after signing a two-year deal with Sidvin CoreTech, a Bangalore-based software company. But for him the parting of ways has been bitter after team owner Mohan Nagarajan decided to drop the Coimbatore driver for the 2007 National champion Gaurav Gill who will be driving in the British Rally beginning Friday.

“While I am grateful to Sidvin for providing me an opportunity to drive at the highest level, I felt let down by the manner in which he removed me from the programme. There was not even a courtesy call to inform me of his decision to give Gaurav a drive. He sent me an email saying Gaurav would be driving in the final round. I would not like to be associated with a team owner who does not extend professional courtesy and so the decision to quit Team Sidvin,” Naren told IANS.

While the 28-year old Gill’s inclusion in Team Sidvin was announced recently, Naren Kumar’s decision to walk out of a two-year contract was not altogether a surprise. Considering the huge investment to the tune of about Rs. 50 million annually, the pressure was on Naren to deliver results that never came although on occasions, he was on pace with the leaders.

“I only wish Gaurav well and I am sure he is the right choice. He has put in two years in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (with Team MRF) and so I feel he is primed for P-WRC,” said the 34-year old Naren.

“The point is that when Sidvin decided to sponsor me, Mohan (Nagarajan) had no contacts in motorsport. I did all the spadework for him, like choosing the service team, the car, training programmes, etc.,. In fact, I set up the car that Gaurav is driving tomorrow. I did everything possible to ensure that we go forward.

“And, I am really disappointed that he should take a decision and being so discourteous to me. I would rather not drive than being associated with a team owner who treats me like this,” said the six times National champion.

Naren believes that he has a few more years left in him. “At this moment, I haven’t decided on my future. I am not sure whether I will be doing the P-WRC next year or return to the Indian championship.”

Source: www.thaindian.com . Photos courtesy of www.teamsidvin.com and www.linearphotographs.com .

Having not competed at the event for 10 years, Arolainen arrived ready for battle, with his 2005-model Ford Focus WRC and the experience of 2005 winner Jussi Valimaki as part of the CLO Racing team.

The only WRC car competing in the rally, Arolainen was able to run at his own pace and completed the weekend in first place with a one minute 25 second margin.

"…really well organised", a jubilant Arolainen exclaimed at the podium presentation. "The stages were great. Everything worked well and the weather was good. And thanks to the Finnish fans who supported us. We hope to come back again later next year".

But while Green’s Group-N Mitsubishi was no match for speed against the WRC car, the Kiwis familiarity with the hot and dusty conditions allowed him to keep in touch with Arolainen. At the end of Saturday’s nine competitive stages, the Finn was just over a minute clear of Green and Pedersen, who more than a minute clear of the next quickest competitor.

Arolainen extended the margin on Sunday by another 15 seconds, Green and Pedersen keeping up with WRC car on roads that were fast and open.

"It’s all good. The road was very slippery, and the surface very loose," Green commented during Saturday’s stages. "It’s been a bit rough. We drove over a (large) rock, but luckily the tyre didn’t deflate".

The Reece Jones prepared Lancer Evo 9, the same car used by Mark Tapper at Rally Malaysia, ran flawlessly during the event. Not even a collision with a dog on the final morning, and the resulting bent intercooler pipe, nor a final stage puncture could stop the Kiwi veteran.
"We thoroughly enjoyed this year. Congratulations to the winners. We had done our best and tried to go as fast as we could."

The next challenge for Green and Pedersen will be the final event on the Chinese Rally calendar, Rally Shaowu which starts next Friday. But with the on-going political turmoil in Thailand, and the blockade of international airports, the Kiwi pair will have their work cut-out for them just to make it to China in time for recce.

Final Results:

1. Jouni Arolainen Focus WRC05 2:02:52
2. Brian Green Lancer Evo 9 +1:25
3. Ruegchan Wittaya Lancer Evo 9 +3:56
4. Kasikham Suphot Subaru Impreza +6:37
5. Tasamrong Vorrawit Lancer Evo +27:42

Photos courtesy of www.thailandrally.com

For the Delhi-based Gill, the journey started a few months ago when team principal Mohan Nagarajan stated that they were watching the young driver and would closely monitor his progress in the APRC.

Gill’s victory in the Indonesian APRC in August brought with it positive feedback. "The speed, commitment and dedication he showed in Indonesia prompted Team Sidvin to test him out privately in Finland in the following days. Gill had an impressive test which made even four-times world rally champion Tommi Makinen remark that he had the qualities to become a world champ," sources said.

Team Sidvin then got Gill to undertake a recce in the Japan round of the PWRC and also got him to spend time with the mechanics and team members of Tommi Makinen Racing and Motoring Club.

Talks with Team MRF, who Gill is contracted with, too bore fruit this week. "We gave our approval because we realised it was a good opportunity for Gill to drive in the PWRC," said Team MRF supremo Anthony Rodricks. "Obviously, Team MRF cannot enter the PWRC because of our direct conflict of interest with the official tyres Pirelli. Our only request was that Gill be released for the APRC rallies to which they readily agreed."

However, Team Sidvin’s decision on who would drive in Wales was arrived at after weighing every option. "We decided that if Gaurav did one event this year it would give the team the necessary data on the car as well as a good evaluation on his capabilities as a driver. This would, in turn, help us make decisions on who we should field next year", the sources said.

In fact, initially Team Sidvin had the idea of fielding two cars in Wales but the second car which Naren used in Japan was damaged due to a roll. "We realised the car would have to be shipped from Japan to the United Kingdom. In any case, it wouldn’t have been ready in time for the Wales rally. Hence the decision to field only one driver."

The sources reiterated Team Sidvin’s commitment to providing top drivers an opportunity to figure in the world championships. But whether they would actually field two cars next year, thereby keeping the door ajar for Naren, is doubtful at this stage, particularly with the slowdown hitting global markets.

Sources: Times of India and Team Sidvin

But Hiroshi Yanagisawa, who has turned his season around since Rally Whangarei, wasn’t going to allow Crocker to have things his own way. Yanagisawa took Crocker head-on and, for the bulk of the event, looked to be heading for his first APRC victory. But a small mistake on the final stage cost him dearly, Crocker engineering a remarkable comeback on day two to win by just 1.2 seconds.

In our final podcast of 2008, we catch up with all the action from China Rally, and look back at some of the audio highlights (and lowlights) of the season.

Photos courtesy of Linear Photographs .

Joining Kenneth Ericsson, Karamjit Singh and Possum Bourne as the only drivers to claim three APRC titles, Crocker defied torrential rain, slippery roads, and a determined Katsu Taguchi to seal victory.

In this podcast we go through the stages with all the drivers, and listen to just how they managed to overcome (or in some case didn’t overcome) the rivers of water that washed over the roads during Saturday’s stages.

Plus we also catch up with the Pirelli Star Driver field, and find out how Mark Tapper beat some of his more fancied rivals to take the prize of a paid drive in next years Production World Rally Championship.

Photos courtesy of www.linear-photographs.com