The rising stars of Australian rally will have extra incentive to perform in 2023, with this year’s national junior class to be known as the Shamrock Haulage ARC Junior Cup.
 
The winner of this year’s Shamrock Haulage ARC Junior Cup will also get the opportunity to test in one of the fastest rally cars in the country, Richie Dalton’s Toyota Yaris AP4 he piloted in the 2022 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC).
 
Dalton, the owner of Shamrock Haulage, announced his retirement from the ARC after a successful season of his own and was now eager to support the up-and-coming drivers competing in the ARC.

 
“Shamrock Haulage is proud to be supporting Australian rally’s next generation of stars through our partnership with Motorsport Australia to award the 2023 Shamrock Haulage ARC Junior Cup,” Dalton said.
 
“To be able to give the top junior a test in the 2019 Championship winning Toyota Yaris AP4 is an exciting opportunity that might not have otherwise been possible for them and provides that extra incentive to battle for the Cup win.
 
“There are so many young stars putting their hand up and we can’t wait to see that young talent ripping up the gravel stages across Australia.”
 
Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations Michael Smith thanked Dalton and the Shamrock Haulage team for their ongoing support.


 
“The sport wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and strong support of people like Richie and Shamrock Haulage, so we’re extremely grateful to have them on board again in 2023,” Smith said.
 
“The prize of a post-season test in one of the best cars in the country is also a very appealing prospect for our Junior Cup stars and we can’t wait to see the battle unfold throughout this season, starting with Rally Launceston in March.
 
“We’d like to also take this opportunity thank Cahal Carey at Glendun for his support as the naming rights partner of the 2022 ARC Junior Cup.”
 
Last year’s Glendun ARC Junior Cup was won by Molly Spalding and her co-driver, Douglas Spalding.
 
To be eligible for the Shamrock Haulage ARC Junior Cup prize in 2023, registered competitors under the age of 26 as of 1 January of the competition year will be entered into the Cup. The car must be either two-wheel drive or a production non-turbo 4WD.
 
Shamrock Haulage itself has a strong history of supporting rally, with Dalton regularly competing under the Shamrock Motorsport banner, as well as supporting the 2022 Shamrock Haulage ARC 2WD Cup, which was won by South Australian Guy Tyler (driver) and Phillip Bonser (co-driver).
 
Round 1 of the 2023 ARC season takes place in Tasmania, with Buckby ŠKODA Rally Launceston held from 24-26 March.