Hyundai factory driver Chris Atkinson has helped unveil a unique trophy ahead of the Coates Hire Rally Australia at Coffs Harbour from September 11-14.
A surfboard designed by local shaper David Scott (Pokerface Surfboards) will be presented to the winner of the Armor All Shootout for the driver with the fastest aggregate time over the four runs of the Hyundai Super Special Stage.
Atkinson and his co-driver Stephane Prevot have been drafted into the #8 Hyundai Shell World Rally Team i20 for round 10 of the World Rally Championship.
Hyundai has this year elected to rotate the crews for the #8 machine alongside its stablemate headed by full-timers Thierry Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul in the #7 i20.
Neuville created history at the previous WRC round in Germany by claiming Hyundai’s first victory at the top level.
It will be the German-based Hyundai squad’s first attempt at Rally Australia since it was transferred from the west to the east coast of the continent.
“This is a really cool concept and an even cooler prize which I’m sure all of the drivers will want to get their hands on,” said Atkinson.
“I’ve been competing in the WRC since 2005 and we’ve never had something like this before so it will be great for the fans and our home event that we can bring something a little different to the World Championship event next weekend.”
Atkinson’s only other start in the WRC this season was at Mexico earlier in the year when he finished seventh.
The Hyundai Super Special Stage will run over a challenging 1.6km course just three kilometres south of the city centre.
“We’re delighted to reinforce our partnership as the official car care products sponsor of the Coates Hire Rally Australia by supporting this fantastic concept,” said Paul Blair Armored Auto Group Managing Director – Australia & New Zealand.
“The Armor All Shootout is a fresh concept to the WRC and its layout as a ‘competition within a competition’ will really add some extra excitement for the Australian fans next weekend on the Coffs Coast,” Paul Blair, managing director of the Armored Auto Group, said.
The Super Special stage will be run on the Friday and Saturday night of the rally.
Last year Volkswagen dominated the event winning 21 of the 22 stages, 19 of which were taken by world champion Sebastien Ogier.
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