The Hindu : Sport : Valimaki-Kalliolepo pair in lead

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Saturday, Apr 14, 2007
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Valimaki-Kalliolepo pair in lead

K. Keerthivasan

NEW CALEDONIA: Absent from the 2006 edition of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, for taking part in the World Rally Championship, Team MRF's Jussi Valimaki (with co-driver Jarkko Kalliolepo) on Friday showed he has not lost his touch, ability and skill required at this level.

Though finding the terrain a trifle difficult ("it's different from the last time I drove," said Valimaki), the Finn pair emerged the overall leader on the first day of the first round.

Just ahead

At the end of the two special stages, Valimaki is a second ahead of fellow Team MRF driver Katsu Taguchi (Mark Stacey). In tied third position are Team MRF's Gaurav Gill (Karl Francis) and Team India Rally's Naren Kumar (D. Ramkumar).

Speaking about the race, Valimaki said, "it's OK, but the real race starts from Saturday."

Gaurav, making his debut, said he's learning the nuances of his car, the Mitsubishi Evo IX, which is technically and engine-wise difficult to handle, and to expect him to win the first round would be unfair. "I will be happy if I come within the top six here." There will be four Special Stages on Saturday.

The results (provisional):

After two Special Stages: 1. Jussi Valimaki (co-driver Jarkko Kalliolepo) (Team MRF) 0:06:10; 2. Katsu Taguchi (Mark Stacey) Team MRF 00:06:11; 3. Gaurav Gill (Karl Francis) 00:06:13; 3. Naren Kumar (D. Ramkumar) (Team India Rally) 00:06.13, 5. Hiroshi Yanagisawa (Nakhara Yoshimasa) (Cusco Racing) 06:06:17.

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