31 October,2016 11:30 AM IST | | PTI
Gaurav Gill of Team MRF scripted a momentous chapter in the history of Indian motorsport by sealing the 2016 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) title with a round to spare as he won the Malaysian Rally yesterday. It was Gill's second APRC crown following his success in 2013
APRC winner Gaurav Gill
APRC winner Gaurav Gill
Johor Bahur: Gaurav Gill of Team MRF scripted a momentous chapter in the history of Indian motorsport by sealing the 2016 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) title with a round to spare as he won the Malaysian Rally yesterday. It was Gill's second APRC crown following his success in 2013.
Having won the previous four rounds of the APRC this season, Gill went into the Malaysian Rally with a 42-point advantage over team-mate Fabian Kreim whose retirement yesterday due to gearbox problems effectively ended the championship battle between the two.
Gill, driving the MRF Skoda Fabia R5, took no chances and comfortably won the event sparing 31 minutes, 35.7 seconds to compatriot Sanjay Takale (Cusco Racing) while Kreim, who rejoined for Leg-2, finished a distant third after Michael Young who was placed second overnight crashed out.
The victory took Gill's tally to 184 as against Kreim's 126 for an insurmountable lead. The APRC season concludes with the India Rally in Chikkamagaluru (December 3-5).
"While every win is special, the second title is even more so. I had no clue at the start of the season. There were so many variables, like a new car (Skoda Fabia R5) that I had not driven before and with Fabian who last week won the German championship and had more miles in the R5, as team-mate," said Gill.
