July 30: Team MRF are ready to hit back. The Indian team, who had a nightmarish weekend at the Rally of New Zealand, are looking to regain their stranglehold when the fourth round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship begins here on Saturday.
After dominating the first two rounds with 1-2 finishes in Malaysia and Japan, MRF lost their momentum in the Kiwi town of Whangarei. A misfiring engine wrecked the hopes of former champion Katsu Taguchi’s hat-trick victories, while Gaurav Gill had a gear box trouble on the opening day.
MRF’s misfortune opened an opportunity for the wild car entrant Hayden Paddon to win the New Zealand leg. However, Taguchi is still leading the championship with 82 points, followed by Gill (60pts). Paddon, who is third with 39 points, is not competing here.
When the action unfolds at the scenic Imbil forest, MRF have to be wary of Proton R3, who will enjoy the support of the local crowd. The high-profile Malaysian-based team are pinning their hopes on Queenslander Chris Atkinson, a former WRC driver.
Atkinson, who lives south of the rally’s base in Gold Coast, knows a thing or two about this event having won it in the past. Proton’s other driver, Alister McRae might be Scottish-born, but the former WRC driver lives in Perth these days. McRae finished second in New Zealand, finally delivering a solid result after a patchy season debut.
The ceremonial start and two spectator special stages were held at Caloundra under lights on Friday. Sixteen gravel special stages will be run over Saturday and Sunday in the Imbil Forest. The total competitive distance of 276 kilometres includes two stages of around 35 kms, among the longest in international rallying.
The intermittent rain has resulted in slippery course. Gill hopes it would dry out when he hits the roads on the morrow. “It’s going to be really tricky otherwise. Tyre selection is the key. My co-driver Glen MacNeall and I have prepared the pacenotes well. After the last round, we have made some upgradation in the car and it really worked well in the shakedown. Another podium would be a great result here,” said the Indian National Rally Champion.