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Singapore - Motor Image Racing Team (MIRT), sponsored by Motor Image Enterprises,
will no longer participate in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) after
finishing the 2009 season, ending its decorated three-year association with the rally. |
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Since entering the APRC in 2007, MIRT's two teams - Driver Cody Crocker and Co-driver Ben Atkinson,
and first-ever female team consisting of Driver Emma Gilmour and Co-driver Claire Mole - have been
extremely successful in their "Made in Singapore" Motor Image Subaru Impreza WRX STI cars. |
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Notable in 2009 was the consistent podium finishes for both teams in all six rallies that MIRT
participated in. From the cold and deep gravel roads of Whangarei in New Zealand, to the slick
red mud in humid Malaysia, MIRT conquered each rally location and emerged triumphant. The year
also saw Crocker breaking the record as the first driver to ever win four consecutive APRC titles. |
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In its three years of participation at the APRC, MIRT won three consecutive Manufacturers'
Title, Driver's and Co-Drivers Championship Titles. |
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"MIRT's strong showing over the past three years is testament to the skill and hard work of our team,
and a tribute to the rally heritage of the Subaru brand," said Mr. Glenn Tan, Group Chief Executive of
Motor Image Group, and MIRT Team Principal, "We had a good run with the APRC and I am proud to say that
our team has achieved what we set out to do - to make a lasting impression on Asia Pacific's rally circuit." |
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The departure of MIRT will undoubtedly close a significant chapter in the history of the Motor Image Racing Team. |
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Said Mr. Tan Keng Hock, Managing Director, Motor Image Racing Team, "All the success during our
involvement with the APRC could not have been possible without a good team of outstanding people
behind us. We've also received tremendous support from the fans and we would like to express our
deepest gratitude and appreciation for their enthusiasm and dedication." |
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Motor Image Racing Team wishes the Asia Pacific Rally Championship all the best for the upcoming seasons. |
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| The Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) |
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The APRC is organised by the FIA and consists of seven legs of rallying under
gruelling conditions. Taking place in some of the most diverse regions of the
world, the APRC attracts drivers from across the world. Each rallying leg has
it own unique characteristics, adding to the allure of rallying. From the dust
and dirt of Australia, to the wintery conditions of New Zealand, to the steaming
jungles of Malaysia, APRC offers participants challenges in both topography and climate. |
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The APRC is primarily a Group N championship in that the favoured cars are the current
world leaders in Group N rally technology. The championship is subject to regulations
laid down by the FIA. Vehicle eligibility is open to Production cars (Group N) and
Touring cars (Group A5, A6, A7). Each class has a driver and co-driver award along with
an overall manufacturer trophy. In 2006, Subaru were the recipients of the manufacturers'
trophy, while Cody Crocker won the driver's title. |
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Group N cars are built from base cars with a limited range of modifications allowed. The
Group N cars by Subaru use the same engines as the Subaru WRX STI road cars. The production
of the Group N rally cars in Singapore began in November 2006 with the support from Subaru
Tecnica International (STI) and Possum Bourne Motor Sports (PBMS). The Group N cars, which
are built and distributed from the state-of-the-art Subaru Hub in Toa Payoh, are production
vehicles fitted with safety equipment in compliance with the governing Federation International
de l'Automobile's (FIA) guidelines and regulations. |
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For more information on APRC, please refer to www.fiaaprc.com. |
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| About Motor Image Racing Team |
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The Motor Image Racing Team (MIRT) is part of Singapore-based Motor Image Enterprises
that is conceived in 2007 after a project with Subaru Tecnica International to build
Group N Cars. The MIRT has been making waves in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship
(APRC) with two manufacturers' titles under its belt and Cody Crocker winning two
consecutive driver's championships for the team. For more information, please visit
www.miracingteam.com. |
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Motor Image is the sole distributor of Subaru automobiles in Singapore,
and has since expanded its presence to manage the Subaru distributorships
in Southern China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong
Kong-listed Tan Chong International Limited (TCIL), engaging in automotive,
commercial, manufacturing, trading and property investment businesses in Asia.
Visit Subaru's official website at www.motorimage.net. |
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Subaru's philosophy is based on high quality engineering, safety, reliability,
a fun driving experience and value. The company was founded in 1955 when a P-1
prototype of an all-wheel drive passenger car was completed. Since then, Subaru
has grown to become one of the world's leading carmakers, with Subaru vehicles
offering superb driving pleasure and safety based on advanced technologies,
including the Horizontally-Opposed Engine, the symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) system and the intelligent continuously variable transmission (I-CVT). |
