Sanjay Takale moves to 13th in WRC 3 after Leg-2
Jyväskylä (Finland), 29 July 2018: A determined Sanjay Takale, making his debut in the FIA World Rally Championship, battled his way to 13th position in the WRC 3 category at the end of Leg-2 in the Neste Rally Finland on Saturday.
Pune-based Takale, along with British co-driver Darren Garrod, maintained a steady pace in the 2-Wheel Drive Ford Fiesta, prepared by Baltic Motorsports Promotion, through the day that was punctuated by eight Special Stages over 142.86 Kms to gain one spot from overnight 14th to 13th despite being docked time penalty.
Reflecting on the longest day of the Rally, Takale said: “We started the day well, but I received heavy time penalty in one of the Stages following a major crash. I was about to start the Stage when I was stopped by the Marshall even as ambulances were rushing in. I and a few other cars behind me had to wait for nearly an hour and we then proceeded to the next Stage. I was handed a time penalty for late reporting, though it was no fault of mine!”
Shrugging off the incident, Takale maintained his pace on the second loop of the Stages highlighted by high speed, blind crests followed immediately by corners. “No wonder that Rally Finland is known to be the fastest Rally in the World! It is very technical and the pace notes have to be spot-on because the terrain is very unforgiving as even the smallest mistake can prove costly,” explained Takale.
Sunday will see the competitors covering just 45.72 Kms over two Special Stages – Laukaa (11.74 Kms) and Ruuhimaki (11.12 Kms) – that will be run twice before the finish of the Rally.
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