This is turning into a tough week for Asian-based rally fans, with the loss of November’s Rally Japan, Takamoto Katsuta not starting the Acropolis Rally and now the decision not to award any FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship titles has been confirmed.
The APRC has been hit hard by the continual presence of COVID-19 this year. Japan’s opener, the Rally of Tsumagoi, was lost in February and Chennai’s second round, the South India Rally, postponed soon after.
The two New Zealand rounds did run in Otago and Whangarei, but further cancellations in Australia, including the Adelaide Hills and most recently the Coffs Coast Rally, has left the APRC organizer with little option but to cancel the 2021 season.
APRC working group chairman Vicky Chandhok said: “Sadly, all the participating rounds in the Asia Pacific region have been again impacted greatly by COVID-19. The changing nature of this pandemic has affected all competitors and organizers.
“While our hopes were hanging on the final round being able to proceed, it is understandable the changing nature of this pandemic made this impractical.
“Again, we look forward to the next season and hope that 2022 brings us some cheer!”
