For multiple Australian and Asia-Pacific Rally Champion Cody Crocker 2010 was an extremely lean year. A new year though and fresh opportunities have presented themselves, Crocker confirming a limited Asia-Pacific campaign followed on with an all-out assault on the Malaysian Rally Championship.
“Last year was definitely tough,” admitted Crocker. “It’s hard after so many years competing continuously to suddenly find, through no fault of your own, that everything has dried up.”
After dominating the Australian Rally Championship during the mid-2000’s, Crocker headed overseas to the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) following Subaru Australia’s withdrawal from local competition. Driving for both Les Walkden Rallying and then the MotorImage Rally Team, Crocker went on to claim a record four straight APRC titles, eclipsing mentor Possum Bourne’s three titles in the process.
“The global financial crisis played a heavy hand last year. You hear about really successful footy players struggling when they finally retire from playing, and I kind of know how that feels after last year. But I’ve been trying as hard as possible to get back competing this year and it looks like things are looking up,” said Crocker.
The Victorian will line up alongside former MotorImage team mate Rifat Sungkar at Cusco Racing for two Rounds of the APRC, the International Rally Queensland and Rally New Zealand.
“The team are really eager to develop their Subaru Impreza as well as ensure they score the maximum team points available from these two events. Hopefully, if this year goes well there may be an option to do a full campaign next year.”
The opening Round of the APRC takes drivers to Malaysia in a little over a fortnights time, and while Crocker won’t be competing for outright points, he will be lining up in a locally run Impreza for the coinciding opening Round of the Malaysian Rally Championship.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity and it’s a deal that’s only just come together to run with the GSR Pennzoil Team. The teams priority is to win their national Championship and I’m really happy that they’ve asked me to help them achieve these aims!” said an excited Crocker.
rally.com.au will track Cody’s progress during the season with updates from his Malaysian and Asia-Pacific outings to follow.
– Credit: www.rally.com.au