MOTORSPORT: Citroen for ARC!

Citroen has announced its maiden entry in the Australian Rally Championship, confirming this afternoon that it will field a factory-supported two-car team in the 2014 ARC.

The surprise announcement comes les than two weeks after Honda announced its withdrawal from next year’s ARC <<<<< http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2013/motorsport-honda-exit-setback-for-arc-38516 >>>> and just as the Australian round of the World Rally Championship gears up this weekend in Coffs Harbour, where the fifth round of the ARC will also be staged.

Team Citroën Australia will race two specially prepared DS3-R3s in the 2014 ARC. One car will be driven by Tony Sullens with co-driver Julia Barkley and the second car will be driven by Adrian Coppin and co-driver Tim Batten.

“Citroën has a great heritage in rallying, especially in the World Rally Championship, with eight manufacturer’s wins and nine driver’s championships with Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena,’’ said Citroen Automobiles Australia General Manager, John Startari.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to extend this to local rallying with our entry into the ARC. This is the first time Citroën Australia has had a factory-backed team in the event and this gives CAA the opportunity to prove the quality and reliability of our cars in the tough sport of rallying.”

Sullens has been competing in various rallies since 2000 and won Targa Tasmania in 2007, while Coppin started competing in 2008 and also has a few class wins under his belt.

“It is with a great deal of pride and satisfaction that we have been able to make this project a reality,” said Team Citroën Australia principal, Ron Cremen, who is currently team manager of the Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team competing in the 2013 World Rally Championship.

“With the support of Citroën Australia, Citroën Racing and Fibertech Medical Australia, our team of youth and experience looks forward to the demanding challenges of the 2014 Australian Rally Championship in the DS3-R3.”

As part of the ARC program, CAA will introduce an apprentice scheme providing Citroën mechanics the opportunity to be involved in a race team environment.