This year saw a major change to the structure of the ARC, a change that would largely persist for several decades. The series was rebranded as the Australian Rally Championship Super Series, comprising two shorter separately scored heats per round. All events would be pace noted with formal recces.
The coefficient system with lots of events was a thing of the past. Rally Australia and Rally of Canberra were no longer part of the championship (and Group A was no longer needed, PRC would suffice). There was to be a round in each state but South Australia was not forthcoming. Additionally, there was a minor adjustment to the points available, reducing the margin between first and second to 4 and all other placings to 2 points except tenth. And the final round carried a 50% points bonus.
Despite all these changes, the end result was rather similar to the previous year with Possum Bourne and Craig Vincent running out winners, but not quite as convincingly. They won both heats of three rounds and one heat of the final round, while Neal Bates and Coral Taylor in the Celica GT-four won the opening round and also one heat of the final round. Despite those successes, Ed Ordynski placed second in the drivers championship ahead of Bates, but had three different co-drivers, so Coral Taylor was runner-up co-driver.
Group N was again won by Michael Guest, this year with Mark Stacey in their Lancer Evo3.
Manufacturer award (based only on Group N): Mitsubishi
To see other years of the ARC, go to the series page.
