Team MRF’s Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn McNeall), on a Skoda Fabia S2000, started the first day of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC)’s International Rally of Queensland here on Saturday with a bang. But it was tough going thereafter even as he managed to end the day with a slender lead of 4.6 seconds over his nearest rival and teammate Pontus Tidemand (co-driver Emil Axelsson).
The day started with Gill taking the early lead in slippery conditions and maintaining it throughout. The real action began on the third stage when Gill’s car spun in the loop and he missed valuable time.
The Indian managed to snatch back the lead and was in control when trouble struck again, this time in the eighth stage. Gill had trouble with the pace-note and overshot a corner. He then had to go ahead and return back to join the rest of the field, which resulted in him losing around 20s.
The rest of the race was incident-free as Gill ended a tough day in office with a narrow lead.
He would be disappointed with his show as he had the opportunity to dominate after a great start.
“Our day was okay. It was good but I made two mistakes and they cost me. We will change the setup of the car as there is absolutely no traction at the rear. We’ll put some more lock and some more grip in the differential. I’m just keeping it on the road and smooth and bringing the car back. Pontus is slowly chipping time away from us but I know our speed and I know his speed,” Gill said.
Top four classifications (after Leg 1) : Gaurav Gill & Glenn Macneall (Skoda Fabia S2000) 58:20.4; 2. Pontus Tidemand & Emil Axelsson (Skoda Fabia S2000) +00:04.6; 3. Michael Young & Malcom Read (Subaru Imprezza) +02:31.9; 4. Subhan Aksa & Nicola Arena (Mitsibushi Lancer EVO X) +03:30.6.
(P. Srinivas Aditya is in Australia at the invitation of MRF Limited )
