Gaurav Gill overcomes suspension problem, thanks to Team MRF: APRC

David Bodapati August 17, 2014

505 1 minute read

Johor Bahru, 17 Aug 2014: Gaurav Gill, the Team MRF speed maestro and defending Asia Pacific Rally Champion (APRC) overcame a problem with his mechanical problem to win the Malaysian Rally in convincing fashion. After crashing out in Australia this was a strong performance by Gill, finishing over thirteen minutes ahead of Australia’s Mark Pedder, to put himself within ten points’ rea

Gauvrav Gill seen with his wife Dr Shilpa (checks shirt on the right side) as he poses with MRF Skoda Team after winning the APRC Malaysian leg. An Adrenna image

ch of overall championship leader and teammate Jan Kopecky.

With Czech teammate Jan Kopecky out of the classification with a suspension break on day one, the onus was on Gill to finish and make sure at least one Team MRF car was on top. Gill got off to a wonderful start, winning the day’s first stage, Tai Tak Court House, by more than ten seconds. But trouble with his suspension in the next stage meant that he had to ease off.

Gill was thrilled to win the Rally of Malaysia after being unsure of finishing the Rally. He said, “The rear suspension stopped working because of the heat. We took it easy and the priority was to make sure one of the cars finished on top. In the second stage (of the day) we started having the problem. By the third it completely collapsed. Malaysia is all about finishing the rally. It’s the most difficult rally of the season. One of the toughest in the world I would say and the team has done a great job so big thank you to Team MRF for the win today.”

Yesterday Gill’s team-mate Jan Kopecky (co-driver Pavel Dresler) suffered a broken rear suspension as he seemed set to win his third consecutive rally when his Skoda S2000 landed too hard on a jump in Special Stage six (Tai Tak Fish Pond). Until then, Kopecky had won three of the five stages and built up a lead of 1:14.8s.

The racing crew will now move to the penultimate rally in Japan (September 26-28). For Kopecky it will be his first rally in Japan. He said, “There is still no pressure, It’s just good for the team at least one car has won the rally. Japan will be interesting. Hopefully we can find the same pace as we did in this rally.”

Gill was adamant that startegy will play a big role for the next race. He commented, “The strategy is going to be absolutely flat out from the word go in Japan,” said Gill. “That’s going to be sort of a decider for us. Either make it or break it.”

Final Standings:

1. Gaurav Gill (Ind) 3:01:23.2s;

2. Mark Pedder (Aus) 3:14:25.7s;

3. Xu Jun (Chn) 3:14:47.4s;

4. Sanjay Takle (Ind) 3:28:44.8s;

5. Michael Young (Nzl) 3:35:21.0s.

eom/Adrenna Communications Release