The champagne overflowed, so did MRF's joy as India's Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn Macneal) took the honours in the fifth round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship here on Sunday.
Rally Hokkaido has always been sweet to Team MRF. It has posted some of its fastest timings here and also registered a victory through hometown boy Katsuhiko Taguchi last year. Though Taguchi (Mark Stacey) finished only second this time around, he will be pleased to have confirmed a fine one-two finish for his team.
Taguchi later admitted that a win in front of his countrymen would have wiped out all the sorrow from what has been a very disappointing season for the defending champion. But nevertheless, the Japanese was content with second and confident of a ‘title triumph' for MRF in China.
But all eyes were on Gill and his car as stunning developments from Saturday had ensured the title race would go all the way down to China.
After Chris Atkinson's engine failure, MRF only had to maintain its pace in Leg 2 to clinch the deal in its favour. Proton was left to battle with only one car, but Alister McRae (Bill Hayes) was determined to fight till the end.
The Scot set a scorching pace in stages 13, 15, 16 and 17, where he picked up wins, but was unable to spoil MRF's party.
Gill did his own bit, pushing hard where it mattered and cooling off on occasions, in what was a great piece of strategic driving by the Indian.
He later had some pleasing words for his teammate and was relieved that the strategy and hard work had paid off on the final day.
“We are very happy. Though we had a good lead in the morning, Proton was quick as always. But I want to thank Taguchi for his help in getting our strategy right.
“We planned it well together and got some good timings. The whole package was perfect. I am delighted the hard work has paid off. We had been waiting for this win since Australia last year. Now, it is anybody's title.”
Heading into China, the APRC has a new leader in Alister McRae with 111 points despite Proton's nightmare over the weekend. His teammate Chris Atkinson remains on 109 points.
Gill's fine victory has pushed him to within 11 points at the top. Proton may rue the fact that it could not seal the championship here, but it sets up for a great finish within a month's time. For Gaurav Gill, the ‘dream' is closer.
The results (provisional) at the end of stage 19: 1.Gaurav Gill (MRF) 2:09:46.0; 2. Katsuhiko Taguchi (MRF) 2:10:03.8; 3. Alister McRae (Proton) 2:10:12.6.
Championship standings (provisional): 1. Alister McRae 111 points; 2. Chris Atkinson (Proton) 109; 3. Gaurav Gill 100.
