Coppin’s “home ground” advantage

Adrian Coppin is hoping to utilise his intimate knowledge of his old hometown to build on his position in the CAMS Australian Rally Championship (ARC) standings in Canberra.

Currently sitting in eight position, Coppin has been unable to find his groove so far in the championship, with mechanical issues seeing him finish in seventh and eighth place in the first two rounds of the ARC.

With the Netier National Capital Rally fast approaching, Coppin will look to his own knowledge of his former local track for solid preparation on course he holds close to his heart.

“I was a Canberrian for 30 years so I know the forests quite well,” Coppin said.

“They suit my driving because Canberra is where I learnt my craft.

“My favourite stage in Canberra is East-West. It’s that piece of forest and bit of road that I won my first rally in, as well as taking my first ever stage in win in.

“There is something about that bit of road and forest stage that I like so I certainly have expectations for when I get there.”

Behind the wheel of the world class Skodia Fabia R5, the 31-year-old goes into the ARC’s third round confident about what lie ahead.

“Canberra is like two different rallies in one,” Coppin added.

“On Saturday it’s very fast and on Sunday it’s very tight and technical.

“I think being able to adapt your car setup and driving style to suit those two days is the key to success in Canberra.”

The Netier National Capital Rally kicks off on Friday afternoon with a ceremonial start at 4pm at Garema Place in the city.

Saturday’s heat one is focused around the Kowen Forest area east of the city, before moving to the west of Canberra on Sunday for the narrow, technical stages off Brindabella and Paddys River Roads.

Keep up to date at rally.com.au for all the latest news, videos and results from the Netier National Capital Rally this weekend.