For the third year in a row Cody Crocker and Ben Atkinson have made the trip to Monaco to collect their Asia-Pacific Rally Championship trophies at the FIA’s gala presentation night. The presentation honours the champions of all FIA titles world-wide, Crocker and Atkinson rubbing shoulders with five-time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb and F1 title winner Lewis Hamilton.

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.