Defending champion Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn MacNeall) of Team MRF was unlucky even as teammate Pontus Tidemand (co-driver Emil Axelsson), in a Skoda Fabia S2000, hogged the limelight at the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC)’s International Rally of Whangarei here on Saturday and extended his lead at the top to over four minutes.
Gill suffered a major blow as he faced problems aplenty with the car, both during the morning and evening sessions. At same time, Tidemand jumped to the top of the timesheets with a brilliant drive at the end of the first day.
Tidemand is followed by New Zealand’s Mike Young (co-driver Malcolm Read) of Cusco Subaru in the second place. This meant Gill was pushed to the third spot.
Seven APRC cars left the town in the morning to cover the eight special stages not perturbed by the overnight rain and passing showers. However, all the cars were left with niggle-issues at the end of the day.
ComplaintsTrying to make amends and eyeing at least a podium finish, a lot was at stake for Gill. Things, however, went out of hand as there were problems with the suspension and set-up of his car in the early stages.
To top it, the drive-shaft was damaged during the evening session and the gap between him and Tidemand is too big going into the final day.
“We were constantly losing time at all the stages. We lost around 40 seconds on the fast roads during the last two stages. Every time we would steer the car in one direction, it went the other way. I want to get the car back, finish and try and win as many points as possible. Just one bad day and we have to live with that,” said the 33-year-old Gill.
While Gill managed to drive through the day’s grind with a damaged car, Tidemand showed his class to be in contention for the winner’s spot.
“At this pace I think I can manage safely. So we will stay where we are. It was a very good afternoon; the day has been fantastic and so we’ve enjoyed it. There are so many cars having problems so we just have to try and stay away from that,” Tidemand said later.
First day’s results (provisional): 1. Pontus Tidemand & Emil Axelsson (Skoda Fabia S2000) 1:42:52.8; 2. Michael Young & Malcom Read (Subaru Impreza) +4:00.06; 3. Gaurav Gill & Glenn MacNeall (Skoda Fabia S2000) +5:13.01; 4. Subhan Aksa & Nicola Arena (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Lancer) +5:56.0.
P. Srinivas Aditya is in Whangerei at the invitation of MRF Tyres.