Sanjay Takale finishes gruelling Rally Finland: WRC3
Bengaluru, 30 July 2018: Seasoned rally driver Sanjay Takale on Sunday achieved another milestone as he became the first registered driver from India to finish a round of the FIA World Rally Championship at the iconic Neste Rally Finland, according to the information received here on Monday.
Takale was classified 14th in the WRC 3 category and 47thoverall in the gruelling Rally Finland after the final of action that saw two Special Stages—Laukaa and Ruuhimaki run twice over before the final flourish.
The Pune-based Takale and his British co-driver Darren Garrod survived the 23 Special Stages over a total of 317.26-km, rated among the fastest in the WRC calendar, to bring home their Baltic Motorsports Promotion-prepared 2-Wheel drive Ford Fiesta R2 in 14th position.
“Like any rally driver, I also dreamt of participating in and finishing a FIA World Rally Championship event. So, it was a dream come true for me to compete in and finish the fastest WRC event on our planet!,” is how Takale reflected on his debut WRC Rally Finland.
On Sunday as Takale started 13th, he went through the first Stage in Laukaa over 11.74-km in 8 minutes 2.4 seconds, while in the second loop he timed it in 7:59.2. The Ruuhimaki Stage measuring 11.12-km was power stage in the second loop and in both he improved his timing, but the competition was nevertheless tough. Takale clocked 8:02.6 in the first loop and 7:55.9 in the final power stage to finish the rally in one piece.
“It was an amazing experience overall and a steep learning curve for me overall. Probably, I could have fared better had I not lost time due to a puncture and twice having to repair the damaged lower arms of my car. However, that is part and parcel of rallying and I am not complaining,” said Takale.
“Going forward, I might do more WRC events. At the same time, I have to work on my fitness to do better in WRC rallies which are long and punishing. In the Neste Finland Rally, for instance, we covered a total distance of 1,400 Kms over four days, not counting the two days of reconnaissance runs. Right now, I want to savour these moments after completing a WRC event, though I have plenty to think about!”
Takale, who started Sunday’s Leg-3 in 13th position, dropped one spot after the day’s four Special Stages of 45.72 Kms.
Results:
Overall: 1. Ott Tanak (Est) 2 hrs 35 mins 18.1 secs; 2. Mads Ostberg (Nor) 2::35:50.8; 3. Jari-Matti Latvala (Fin) 2::35:53.6; 4. HaydenPaddon (Nzl) 2::36:53.7; 5. Sebastien Ogier (Fra) 2::37:33.1….30. Gaurav Gill (Ind) 3::18:17.7…47. Sanjay Takale (Ind) 3::54:40.3.
WRC 3: 1. Ken Torn (Est) 3::03:07.2; 2. Emil Bergkvist (Swe) 3::03:17.1; 3. Jean-Baptiste Franceschi (Fra) 3::04:53.4; 4. Julius Tannert (Ger) 3::07:15.3; 5. Callum Devine (Irl) 3::09:14.1…14. Sanjay Takale (Ind) 3::54:40.3.
ends/db
