Indian rally driver emerge victorious with superb come-from-behind victory in the Rally
MRF drivers Gaurav Gill (right) and Jan Kopecky celebrate on the podium after finishing first and second respectively in the opening round of the APSC at Whangarei in New Zealand (Photo : DC)
Whangarei (New Zealand): Gaurav Gill celebrated his wedding anniversary with a superb come from behind victory in the Rally of Whangarei, the opening round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, here on Sunday. It was Gill’s sixth career victory in APRC and first in New Zealand.
After a frustrating day one in which he trailed his MRF teammate Jan Kopecky by 23.1 seconds, Gill launched a furious comeback by winning all the six stages on Sunday to turn the table on the Czech. Only 11.9 seconds separated the top two at the end of 14 stages and 220.87kms. The fact that the third car piloted by Australian Mark Pedder came home eight minutes behind the two red-liveried MRF machines highlighted the Indian tyre major’s domination.
In the first two runs on Sunday, Gill managed to cut down the lead to 17.8s and made full use of the 27.43km long Springfield stage, a brand new course introduced this year, to steal the top spot. For his part, Kopecky, the lead driver on course, reciprocated Saturday’s favour by clearing the thick gravels for the Indian’s smooth passage to victory.
Going into the final stage, a 27.43km run on a gravel-heavy road, the MRF teammates were separated by 10.8s. But Gill was not ready to take it easy. “I knew it was going to be difficult for him. But I pushed as much as I could because I had really good rhythm in the morning,” said Gill. The championship now moves to New Caledonia for the second round from May 17 and 18.
( Source : dc )
Next Story
