Team MRF wins APRC 2015 title at China; Gill loses again this year to teammate

Longyou/China, 1 Nov 2015: Team MRF’s Pontius Tideman / Emil Axelsson roared to a commanding win at the China Rally here today. In the most adverse of track conditions the team had the best times on all 13 stages as they dominated the field comprehensively to win with ease.

Tidemand/Axelsson drove to victory in their red Skoda Fabia R5 on approximately 230 kilometres of muddy gravel tracks and slippery concrete streets.

“This rally demanded everything from us once again and showed what a fantastic set to tyres we had, that mastered the toughest of terrains” said Tidemand delighted with the perfect end to the season. “Two such important wins in Spain and China within a week – Emil and I didn’t dare dream of that. Winning the title in the APRC is our highlight and a big thanks to the whole team.”

Team MRF’s Pontus Tidemand and his navigator Emil Axelsson were also crowned champions in the drivers’ and co-drivers’ standings of the APRC. MRF Skoda also won the manufacturers’  standings of the APRC for the fourth time in a row.

With Pontus Tidemand, MRF Skoda celebrates its fourth title win in a row in the drivers’ standings of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC). The winning streak began in 2012 with the victory of Australian Chris Atkinson. India’s Gaurav Gill won the title in 2013, before Jan Kopecký (CZ) became the first driver in history to become European Champion and Asia-Pacific Champion in consecutive years last year. In the new Fabia R5, Tidemand got MRF’s third win in a row at the China Rally Longyou.

eom/MRF press release through Adrenna