Debutant Swedish youngster Pontus Tidemand (co-driver Emil Axelsson) of Team MRF, driving a Skoda Fabia S2000, bested experienced teammate Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn Macneall) to top the overall standings after two stages with a time of 2:01 in APRC’s International Rally of Whangarei here on Friday.
Tidemand, who had a good day having emerged the best in the shakedown in the morning session, continued his fine form into stages one and two which were held in the evening. He beat Gill in a close race with the latter finishing his two stages in 2.00:04.
Earlier in the shakedown, Tidemand set a time of 58.8s pushing Gill, who clocked 59.4, to the third spot. Andrew Hawkeswood (Jeff Cress) was third while Ken Block (Alex Gelsomino) finished fourth.
The conditions, which were mild and dry, helped the drivers set faster times and Tidemand vouched for them, saying, “yes we are very happy to be the fastest, although it’s tomorrow that matters.
“The roads were tricky. I have never seen something like this before and it was a good challenge to drive on them. I hope to continue in the same vein and enjoy my driving.”
Gill agreed with what Tidemand said and hoped to give a good display of his skills and end up on the podium. “The roads are new when compared to last year and I hope to finish on the winning side this time too.”
With the climate being pleasant, the crowd turnout was decent during the shakedown and they egged on the drivers.
The stage classifications:Overall: 1. Pontus Tidemand & Emil Axelsson (Skoda Fabia S2000) 2:1s; 2. Gaurav Gill & Glenn Macneall (Skoda Fabia S2000) 2:4; 3. Michael Young & Malcolm Read (Subaru Impreza) 2:5.8; 4. Subhan Aksa & Nicola Arena (Mitsibushi Lancer Evo X) 2:6.2.
Stage 2: Tidemand & Axelsson (59.8); 2. Gill & Macneall (1:2); 3. Young & Read (1:2.2); 4. Aksa & Arena (1:2.3).
Stage 1: 1. Tidemand & Axelsson (1:3); 2. Gill & Macneall (1:1.2); 3. Young & Read (1:3.6); 4. Aksa & Arena (1:3.9).
P. Srinivas Aditya is in Whangerei at the invitation of MRF Tyres .
