Malaysia APRC: Gill closer to title as Kreim retires in Leg 1
Team MRF’s Gaurav Gill put on a dominant show in the opening leg of Malaysian Asia-Pacific Rally Championship round, as teammate Fabian Kreim’s day was cut short with a gearbox malfunction.
Photo by: Anand Philar
With the advent of monsoons, heavy storms swept through the narrow and flowing dirt tracks of Johan Bahru, adding to the challenge of the drivers.
Gill (co-driver Glenn Macneall) controlled the day's proceedings having won seven of the day’s eight stages, completing the leg in 1hr38m59.6s.
The Indian, who’s Skoda Fabia R5 was fitted with a new engine this week, will be crowned champion if he wins the rally on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Kreim (co-driver Frank Christian), who won the German Rally Championship last weekend, stayed in touching distance of Gill, beating the 2013 champion to the fastest time in the shortened SS4.
However, a gearbox malfunction in SS6 forced an unfortunate retirement from the day. The German is expected to return for Leg 2 to salvage some valuable points.
With Kreim out, Finland's Jari Ketomaa (co-driver Mikko Lukka) finished runner-up in his one-off entry, 4m16.9s behind Gill's chart topping time.
Behind, APRC regular Michael Young (co-driver Malcolm Read) was classified third, ahead of two-time Asia Cup winner Yuya Sumiyama (co-driver Takahiro Yasui).
Sanjay Takle (co-driver Noriko Takeshita) finished fifth and last among the classified finishers. The veteran Indian rally driver completed the leg in 1hr54m19.6s in a Subaru Imprezza WRZ STi.
Leg 1 results:
Pos |
Driver |
Car |
Time |
Gap |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Gaurav Gill Glenn Macneall |
Skoda |
1hr38m59.6s |
- |
2 |
Jari Ketomaa Mikko Lukka |
Mitsubishi |
1hr42m16.5s |
4m16.9s |
3 |
Michael Young Malcolm Read |
Subaru |
1hr46m20.9s |
7m21.3s |
4 |
Yuya Sumiyama Takahiro Yasui |
Subaru |
1hr49m18.2s |
10m18.6s |
5 |
Sanjay Takle Noriko Takeshita |
Subaru |
1hr54m19.6s |
15m20.s |
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