Johor,
Malaysia, August 13, 2015: India’s top
rally driver, Gaurav Gill (co-drive Glen Macneall) and his Team MRF Skoda
team-mate, Pontus Tidemand (co-driver Emil Axelsson), are set to face new
challenges in the Malaysian Rally, fourth round of Asia Pacific Rally
Championship. The south Malaysian province of Johor, which connects the
mainland to Singapore, will host the rally amidst tropical forests and rubber
plantations from August 14-16. The Malaysian Rally marks the Asian swing of the
championship after the Pacific rounds that concluded with the International
Rally of Queensland.
The tropical
conditions with temperatures in the low 30s and high humidity of 60-80 percent,
and not to forget the torrential showers, will pose plenty of challenges for
the drivers. Dehydration leading to loss of concentration and cramps are real
dangers that drivers have to deal with over the next three days. The drivers
tend to lose 3-4 kg of body weight during the course of the rally.
“Getting a grip on the
conditions is the key in Malaysia. It’s a very demanding rally because of the
heat and humidity. It’s easy to lose concentration on the narrow tracks through
the forests and plantations. And when it rains over here it really pours. The
tyre choice is also critical because the conditions keep changing,” said the
Indian driver.
Gill, whose
championship bid suffered a setback in the International Rally of Queensland
when the engine of his Skoda Fabia S 2000 blew on the second day while leading
the rally over his Swedish team-mate. The Indian ace is keen to return to the
top step of the podium in Malaysia. Gill goes into this round of championship
on the back of his experience and familiarity of the conditions in this
tropical country. He won in Malaysia last year and has finished second four
times.
For Tidemand, it will
be the first time out in this part of the world. Coming from much cooler and
drier conditions in Europe, he will need to acclimatise quickly to the heat and
humidity. Tidemand goes into this round with a healthy lead over Gill who had a
DNF in Australia. But as the Swede has shown he can adapt very quickly to alien
conditions.
For this rally, Gill’s
MRF Skoda Fabia S 2000 has got a new engine after the previous one suffered
terminal damage in Australia. “It’s important for me to win over here to keep
Pontus in sight after my setback in Australia. I have the experience of driving
and winning in Malaysia. I am looking forward to resume our fight. Pontus is a
very good driver and he has shown that he can adapt to the local conditions
very quickly,” said Gill.
The Malaysian Rally
comprises 14 stages over two legs covering a total competitive distance of
226.56km of special stages. For this year’s event, the second and the ninth
stages are new additions and they will be run twice. The first leg of the rally
will consist of eight stages covering a distance of 160.64 km, while the second
leg that will be run on Sunday will cover a distance of 65.92 km spread over
six stages. The Malaysian Rally will get underway with a 2.14km shakedown on
Friday.
Press release
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