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The APRC appears to have returned to a conventional format for next year with 6 rounds:
https://fiaaprc.com/2024-aprc-calendar/
Whangarei is still referred to as ‘Grand Finale’ though. I wonder if that’s just marketing nonsense or whether the format of just entering any of the other rounds to qualify for winning the whole championship at the final round continues…
I was going to raise the subject of whether there was a case for the APRC going back to a conventional championship. There seem to be more Rally2s/R5s in the Asia Pacific region nowadays, particularly Indonesia and New Zealand. With the coming Yaris, Hyundai, Proton Iriz (kind of) and Citroen C3 in some markets, you'd think there might be more local manufacturer/importer interest. There seem to be a good number of Skoda's in private hands over that way already.Quote:
Originally Posted by HKSjbg
At this year's Grand Final, there were discussions about returning to a championship format, with the APRC Chairman inviting submissions from interested parties. In the absence of written requests to change the APRC Regulations, the intent was to continue as before with Rally of Whangarei as the Grand Final. There was and continues to be strong numbers of Rally2/R5 and AP4 cars in Indonesia (with talk of three more Hyundais and one Yaris on order), however their owners' focus is on their National Championship. In a bid to coax them out of their comfort zone APRC Chairman Vicky Chandhok announced at the Drivers Briefing that free shipping from Indonesia to New Zealand for next year's Grand Final would be made available for up to eight rally cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by the sniper
According to ewrc results and FIA though, the APRC title went to Rifat Sungkar, who only entered the APRC finale and won it, and apparently that's enough for winning the championship? Very silly format, makes all the "qualifiers" useless if you can just take part to the finale (and if you're lucky it's your home event) and win it to get the title.Quote:
Originally Posted by HKSjbg
Happened with Paddon in Coffs too.Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
The difference is Paddon is a world class driver - ERC champion and a World Rally winner. Doesn’t make that format any less bemusingQuote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Paddon entered and won Otago & Whangarei, which were APRC "qualifiers" in 2022. Sungkar only entered and won the finale in 2023.Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1