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Category: APRC
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Karna Kadur wins APRC round on international debut; Nikhil Pai drives Polo magic again
Chennai, 27 March 2022: Gentle giant Karna Kadur, who brings back glorious memories of Team Kadur, along with experienced co-driver Nikhil Pai, a stalwart with ‘Tulips’ and ‘pace-notes’, made a scintillating debut in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and brought Arka Motorsports team a solid victory in the first round of the APRC Asia Cup 2022. The duo thus qualified for the APRC finals to be held in Australia later this year where the winners of other rounds will join to decide the APRC title. In 2016, the pair brought the first National title for Volkswagen in the annals of Indian National Rally Championship (INRC).
The Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) pulled off yet another miracle in bringing APRC to India, albeit in a new regional format of APRC Asia Cup. After a brief hiatus of two years (2020 & 2021) thanks to COVID, APRC made a comeback but in its regional avatar as Asia Cup and Pacific Cup, held separately in their own regions. All winners and ranked teams selected by ASNs from these regional events, will join the grand finale at Australia in November to vie for the APRC title. MMSC successfully completed the 44th South India Rally, a leg of the APRC (Asia Cup) and the third and final round of the delayed and depleted National championship, INRC.
Three-time APRC champion, Gaurav Gill, who came second here, has already registered for the APRC 2022 and will be taking part in a Japan rally for prep and will proceed to display his talent at the finale Down Under. As per the current rules, a penalty of 10 minutes plus the fastest stage time will be added to any car which did not finish a particular stage. However, Younus Ilyas of Race Concepts who did well till the fag end, may have lost a third place in APRC, for not having parked the car in Park Ferme on time.
Karna Kadur, who got the first overall National INRC Championship title for Volkswagen Polo, winning the coveted title in 2016 has a record of sorts winning many a National title in different classes. But the APRC round win, has its own charm. Ably partnered by Nikhil Pai, one of the senior-most of the current navigators, Polo tasted its first victory in the Indian shores in 2013 when Sirish Chandran won a round in INRC. Later, he also stood with Karna Kadur to fulfill a dream of winning their first overall National title (2016), also in a polo; and now the duo did it again bringing their first international win at home behind the steering wheel of a Polo. Gifted with a clarity in thought and clear vision, Pai, at 50, looks forward to another fruitful season. “With the 2022 season starting early, we have no time to rest. I am looking forward to a great year ahead,” said Pai.
Born in Bengaluru, 33 summers ago, Karna Kadur caught the eye of theIndian motorsports connoisseurs as he displayed immense talent and skill in his teens and twenties and continued his momentum but lack of sponsors meant that his potential is yet to fully blossom. He won the Rally Star Cup, a baby of MAI, in his debut in 2009 and went on to win many other National titles, with Group N victory in 2012 being another major haul. He not only won the Overall National title in 2016 but notched overall wins in 2017 and 2018, the year where he graduated to INRC2 and pocketed the National title on debut in the class.
In 2020, the duo were planning to break through into international circuit, but the pandemic, and lack of proper commitment from the sponsors halted their plans. It is a pity that such a talented pair had to slog and always fight with shoe-string budgets for lack of “backing and budget” as Karna put it. Nevertheless, the APRC participation and Asia Cup win will be a moment to cherish for some time, and hopefully bring-in some well-deserved sponsosrs.
But there is no time to relax. “We get only two days off, then we are back to work with early 2022 calendar. We will work hard and hopefully put down a plan to go the for the APRC finale,” said Karna Kadur after his victory podium. Karna, is adept at road racing too and has excelled in the racing Nationals and also became a driver coach and mentor. He was first selected for Red Rooster team in 2010 after his brilliant show in his debut year in 2009.
Nikhil Pai, is a sound engineer by profession. Everything he plans is sound and safe. A meticulous planner and systematic executor, his hardwork and attention to detail can match few in the field. He has been a consistent and safe co-driver calling pace notes for many different drivers in a career spanning three decades. He made his international debut in 2012, in Rally Sarangala in Sri Lanka and called the notes for former Indian National Champion Lohit Urs in the Malaysian National Championship in 2013. “But this is my first victory in an International event. It is a long time coming and I am thrilled right now. A big shout out to my team, sponsors and all the mechs and yes, we have done it,” said Pai.
Karna Kadur and Nikhil Pai will be back to Chennai for South India Rally on April 22, the first round of INRC 2022.
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Aditya-Virender INRC 2021 champs
Chennai, 27 March 2022: Himachal Pradesh duo Aditya Thakur and navigator Virender Kashyap lodged a hard-fought overall third in a humble INRC3 and kept a marauding Fabid Ahmer at bay till the fag-end and pulled off a stunning championship win by 1.2 seconds. Aditya and Virender join an elite club of INRC Overall winners inscribing their name as 2021 champions.
Meanwhile, Karna Kadur and co-driver Nikhil Pai of Arka Motorsports, driving a Volkswagen Polo 1.0 shod on MRF Tyres, kept their nerves to win the 44th South India Rally, thus grabbing their first win in an international event.
The victory in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (Asia Cup) first round which was held along with the Indian National Rally Championship final round of 2021, got Karna-Nikhil pair their first victory since 2018. The third round of the FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship 2021 concluded the delayed and depleted 2021 season on Sunday but the Championship winners in other classes were not announced as there was delay in the final results.
Even as Kadur and Pai celebrated their Asia Cup (India leg) victory on their APRC debut, Himachal’s Aditya Thakur and co-driver Virender Kashyap (Chettinad Sporting) clinched their maiden National championship title (Overall), though provisionally, and subject to the outcome of an appeal pending before the Indian Motor Sports Appeal Court.
Kadur survived another scare today when the door of the luggage boot sprung open in the day’s second Stage, but he came through relatively unscathed for his maiden success in an international event. Two other Asia Cup contenders, Amittrajit Ghosh (Ashwin Naik) and Younus Ilyas (Sanath G) packed up due to mechanical failures, when running second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, three times APRC champion Gaurav Gill (Musa Sherif), who had retired on Saturday with a mechanical failure but restarted today, eventually finished second behind Kadur.
Kadur also topped the South India Rally, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club, to claim the Overall honours ahead of Dean Mascarenhas (Gagan Karumbaiah) and Thakur. The third place finish was sufficient for Thakur to emerge National champion.
Reflecting on his victory, Kadur said: “This is my first win since 2018 and I am very happy to break a jinx. Also, this is my first win in Chennai and the APRC victory also, and I cannot ask for anything better. As always, there is last-minute drama today with lower-arm bush popping out, but we were lucky to finish. We have learnt a lot in the last two rallies (both DNFs).
“Till 2018, we won all the sub-categories we entered. And only in 2019 we started getting the budgets and the backing to go Overall. From there, we were developing the car, thanks to Leela uncle (N Leelakrishnan) and the whole team at Arka. Thanks also to the Volkswagen Motorsport team who have been continuously supporting me. The MRF Tyres certainly gave us the edge as the difference was only in seconds after the first stage, but it is the Tyres that allowed us to push the limits.”
An ecstatic and emotional Thakur said: “Right now I can’t express how happy I am today. It is a dream come true. I never expected to become a National champion in such a short time after making my INRC debut in 2018. There are so many emotions and thoughts going through my mind. A big thanks to my co-driver Virender who is always spot-on.
“I want to thank MRF Tyres and Volkswagen Motorsport for all the support. It is a dream come true that I am driving for such a wonderful rally car. I am indebted to my team Chettinad Sporting, Team PPTS and Lionnoil, that keeps my car cool every time I go out.”
Gill was disappointed with the result. “It was the same in Coimbatore where we had a DNF (Did Not Finish) and in K-1000 that we won. Here too we were the quickest, but a mechanical issue cut short our rally yesterday. However, on restart, we had a good run today. Overall, I am quite happy with our performance,” said Gill, who plans to compete in APRC’s Japan and Australia legs this season.
Final classification (Provisional):
FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (Asia Cup, India round): 1. Karna Kadur / Nikhil Pai (India) (01hr,50mins, 04.500secs); 2. Gaurav Gill / Musa Sherif (India) (02:07:17.000)
The FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship:
Overall / INRC: 1. Karna Kadur / Nikhil Pai (both Bengaluru, Arka Motorsports) (01:50:04.500); 2. Dean Mascarenhas (Mangaluru) / Gagan Karumbaiah (Kodagu) (01:51:08.900); 3. Aditya Thakur / Virender Kashyap (both Himachal, Chettinad Sporting) (01:52:16.100). National Overall champion (Provisional, subject to outcome of an appeal pending before the Indian Motor Sports Appeal Court): Aditya Thakur (Himachal, Chettinad Sporting).
INRC-2: 1. Dean Mascarenhas (Mangaluru) / Gagan Karumbaiah (Kodagu) (01:51:08.900); 2. Fabid Ahmer / Sanath G (both Palakkad) (01:52.17.300); 3. Rahul Kanthraj / Vivek Bhatt (both Bengaluru) (01:56:11.400).
INRC-3: Aditya Thakur / Virender Kashyap (both Himachal) (01:52:16.100); 2. Syed Salman Ahmed (Mysuru) / BK Rishabh (Mangaluru) (01:54:53.100); 3. Kuber Sharma / Kunal Kashyap (both Himachal) (01:55:32.900).
INRC-4: Mujeeb Rehman (Kasargod) / Ravindra Kumar (Bengaluru) (01:59:08.600); 2. Prakhyat Shirole / Arjun SSB (both Bengaluru) (02:01:05.900); Deepak Chandra / Raghuram CG (both Bengaluru) (02:12:37.100).
Junior INRC: 1. Pragati Gowda / Trisha Alonkar (both Bengaluru, Arka Motorsports) (01:57:42.300); 2. Raghuram Saminathan (Coimbatore) / Bharath Sargur (Bengaluru, Kari Sports) (01:59:54.000); 3. Jahaan Singh Gill (Chandigarh) / Sheeraz Ahmed (Chikkamagaluru, SNAP Racing) (02:32:13.400).
FMSCI Gypsy Challenge: 1. Samrat Yadav (Chandigarh) / M Chandrashekar (Bengaluru) (01:57:22.900); 2. Rupender Sheoran (Gurugram) / Mohit Mallik (Faridabad) (02:03:23.700); 3. MR Venkatapathy / Santosh Kumar Selvaraj (both Coimbatore) (02:04:44.600). FMSCI SUV Challenge: 1. Ritesh Rai (Chennai) / Venu Rameshkumar (Coimbatore) (02:05:20.000).
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FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship goes digital; Whangarei rally from May 8
Chennai, 6 May 2020: The FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship will go digital this weekend (May 8-10) with the online running of the International Rally of Whangarei that can be contested by any gamer of the DiRT Rally 2.0 platform. Supporting the initiative, the world motorsport governing body the FIA are working towards greater awareness starting with the #RaceAtHome social media tag.
The virtual event is being held on the same dates as the New Zealand round that was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pending resumption of the on-road championship, the Digital APRC will make use of dates made available by rounds forced to postpone due to the pandemic.
Gamers contest each round as a virtual event, accruing automatically calculated points based on their finishing position. An overall winner will be declared once the final round is completed. Each online event will run to a timetable resembling the originally scheduled event.
File photo of Gaurav Gill in APRC round. Image by India in F1 for representational purpose For this weekend’s New Zealand round, action starts on the Friday night with a night-time stage repeated three times. Gamers get a window of time to complete each stage, similar to each leg of the rally from Friday, May 8 through to Sunday, May 10.
Along with other motorsport codes under the Digital brand, the APRC focus is on relevance as a feeder to the top-level World Rally Championship (WRC) category, including use of the type of car available to gaming competitors.
APRC president Vicky Chandhok says the concept is a stimulating extension to the formal championship.
“Knowing how many gaming drivers are already in this space, giving them an international category to contest is very exciting. This gives a truly global opportunity for new drivers to contest our sport, virtually, and very important at the moment, from the safety of their home. Many of our top drivers are active in this market, so to bring the two together and compete on very level terms is fabulous.”
The Digital APRC calendar is expected to be at least five rounds, with dates to be confirmed in the near future. Updates and details will be posted to the FIA APRC Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FIA.APRC.
The event starts at 18:00 (11.30 am IST) on May 8 and finishes 15:30 (9 am IST) on May 10
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South India Rally postponed to June 21
Chennai, 15 March 2020: Organisers the Madras Motor Sports Club announced on Sunday that the South India Rally, scheduled for March 20 to 22 is postponed to June 19 to 21 in view of the escalation in the COVID-19 virus situation across the country, according to the Chairman of the event, Vicky Chandhok.
The South India Rally also doubles up as a round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and the first round of the FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship (4-wheelers). Federation of Motor Sports Clubs in India (FMSCI) has advised all concerned to take note of the government advisory and put off events till May-end.
Chandhok, who is also the president of Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) Working Group, said: “After much discussion internally, and following the lockdown in various States and territories across India, besides travel advisories and restrictions on public assembly, we have decided to postpone South India Rally to June 19-21.
Chikmagalur Coffee Day INRC rally run along with APRC. A file photo of 2017 by Anand Philar “We were confident of running the event on schedule as we had put in place all measures and infrastructure complying with Government of India’s health advisories to provide a safe environment to all the stakeholders. However, developments in the past couple of days forced us to rethink and decide on postponing South India Rally,” said Chandhok in a statement.
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South India Rally from March 20 in Chennai
Chennai, 13 March 2020: The South India Rally, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club, and which doubles up as the opening rounds of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and the Indian National Rally Championship (4-wheelers), will be held as scheduled in Chennai from March 20 to 22, but strictly complying with medical and travel advisories issued by the Indian government, according to the Chairman of the event, Vicky Chandhok.
In a statement here today, Chandhok, who is also the president of the APRC Working Group, said: “To reiterate, next week’s South India Rally is very much on as per schedule. We are closely monitoring the situation arising out of the COVID-19 spread globally, and taking due precautions as per the directives of Union Health ministry.
“As Chairman of the event, it is my duty to stay in close contact with our team and medical advisors which is what we are doing. No spectators will be allowed into the Rally HQ areas and no gathering of people in a single place will be permitted.
“We have also communicated to all the participants, officials and stakeholders, urging them to take all precautions to stay safe and healthy.”
Chandhok said that the APRC segment will be exclusively for Indian nationals of the INRC who register for it. “Consequent to Government of India’s travel advisory prohibiting entry of foreign Nationals into India until April 15, and other factors, the APRC round here will be contested by Indian crews who thus will have an opportunity to win a FIA international trophy,” he said.
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Arjuna Award for Gaurav Gill – a recognition long time coming, but fully deserving! #GillRacing
Former Sports Editor and respected senior journalist, Anand Philar, who specialises in motorsports, has tracked Arjuna Award winner Gaurav Singh Gill from his nascent days, and chronicled and photographed his exploits throughout his career, both at home and abroad.
In a special article to IndiaInF1, he shares his thoughts on Gaurav Gill.
Gaurav Gill receiving the Arjuna Award from the President of India on August 29, the National Sports Day. Photo courtesy @GauravGill FB page
By Anand Philar
Bengaluru, 30 August 2019: Back in 2005, a new sensation called Gaurav Gill burst on to the National Rally scene as a “replacement driver” for Vikram Mathias who was injured in a major crash the previous round in Delhi. Vikram’s navigator, Sujith Kumar, was asked to partner the tearaway Gill at a time when few were willing to sit in the co-driver’s seat. Gill finished Overall second to JK Tyre’s lead driver, VR Naren Kumar, after dominating most of the event by clocking seriously fast Stage times. Gaurav Singh Gill has arrived.
The following year, in Pune, it was the turn of veteran Farooq Ahmed, to partner Gill who again finished behind Naren Kumar, who went on to win the championship. Both Sujith and Farooq sang praises of not just Gill’s extreme pace, but his “phenomenal memory”.
Sujith recalled: “I have never sat with any driver with such memory. I realised then that he was a special talent and a superstar in the making.” Farooq said much the same. “Just phenomenal talent Anand. He will go places. I have never co-driven for a guy with such raw pace and memory. I mean, he remembered every corner and dip. I wondered whether he needed a navigator at all!”
File photo of Gaurav Gill negotiating a corner in the Coffee Day Rally 2017. Photos by Anand Philar For sure, Gill had cast a magical and mesmeric spell on the Indian motorsport fraternity which continues to this day. MRF Tyres, taking note of his immense talent, was quick to sign up Gill and thus began the Delhi lad’s long journey to international stardom. APRC titles in 2013, 2016 and 2017, cemented Gill’s status as a World-class driver. At home, his dominance was even more absolute as National titles came his way.
From the raw pace of the youth to mature driving of the experienced, Gill has come a long way. “Over the years and with experience, I learned to pace myself in a rally. It meant, knowing when to push and when to nurse your position without taking undue risks. It has made me a better driver and in rallying, much like a good wine that tastes better with age,” he had told me in a rare moment of introspection as we drove to Chikmagaluru for the Coffee Day India Rally a couple of years ago.
Gaurav Gill signals six, after his sixth win in a row. He won the APRC for the third time, winning all the rounds. Photo by Anand Philar Through his decade-long campaign in the APRC with MRF team, Gill was pitted against more experienced team-mates, not necessarily in terms of age, but seat time and the number of competitions.
“These guys do about 20 to 25 rallies in a year as against five or six in my case, and another few in INRC. A couple of my team-mates have been factory drivers, constantly testing the cars that were being prepared for APRC. They literally lived in them! So, straight away, I am at a disadvantage going into an APRC round. Yet, I am able to match and beat them on the Stages. This is what people back home should know, understand and appreciate,” has been Gill’s constant refrain each time we met at an APRC event abroad.
For me, there is more to Gill than the titles (including one track racing championship). Statistics do no justice to his talent that is so apparent even to a novice watcher. For Indian motorsport, he is once-in-a-lifetime beacon leading the way and setting benchmarks.
The Arjuna Award came his way exactly 20 years after he made his rally debut on a bike before switching to cars. Through those two decades of living on the edge, as it were, Gill has maintained his focus and motivation, while blossoming into a man who is officially certified fit enough to pilot a monstrous Formula 1 speedboat!
Gaurav Gill takes a huge jump during the APRC Malaysian round in 2017. Photo by Anand Philar For Gill, speed is the elixir of life, beautifully complemented by his unshakable belief and confidence in his ability to drive quick but safe, take calculated risks that would deter a lesser mortal, the special bonding with the car that becomes an extension of self, quickly learning its limits to push it to the very edge and, sometimes, beyond – all traits of a man who belongs to the elite class of motorsport drivers.
Gill is a natural. “Give him a bullock cart, and he will still be the quickest!” This is not said in jest, but with awe and admiration. I have had the privilege of sitting with him in the Skoda ahead of Rally of Hokkaido. I barely noticed the stunning acceleration, the cornering, and braking. The silken touch and precision driving had me mesmerised, just like it has always been when I focussed my camera on his car power-sliding through the corner or attacking a crest!
Family Time: Gaurav Gill with family at the Coffee Day round in 2017. Photo by Anand Philar Hailing from a family of rally drivers, his uncle Dicky Gill (Team MRF) being the best known among them, Gaurav took to driving like a duck to water. “I learned to drive very early in life, taking our family car out without informing anyone. Then came the Play Station games and the bikes, which are still my first love, before I moved to cars. So, I grew up in such an environment and here I am, driving Rally cars!”.
Hopefully, the Arjuna Award would not only motivate Gaurav further, but also spawn a generation of young guns who will not just emulate him, but go a step further. He has waited long for this overdue National recognition, dealing with frustrations and triumphs with supreme equanimity, never once taking his eyes off the goals he had set. Now, looking to his 38th birthday on December 2, Gill has his sights set on the big stage, the WRC. “My ultimate wish is to compete with the best in the World and prove to myself first that I belong to.” His words, spoken over a year ago. It’s time we all got behind this maverick of a driver.
Pursue your dreams champ and conquer new horizons.
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ŠKODA privateer Yuya Sumiyama from Japan wins FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship 2018
Yuya Sumiyama blasting his way to victory in China Rally. Photo: Skoda Motorsport Longyou, 21 October 2018: Scoring victories on all five rounds, ŠKODA driver Yuya Sumiyama together with navigator Takahiro Yasui emerged champion in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) 2018 as the pair registered a dominant win the final round, the China Rally Longyou, here on Sunday.
With a convincing performance, Sumiyama, driving a Team Cusco entered ŠKODA FABIA R5, opened up an additional chapter of one of the most successful seasons for ŠKODA Motorsport.
“Congratulations to Yuya Sumiyama, Takahiro Yasui and all at Team Cusco for continuing ŠKODA’s winning streak in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship,” said ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek. “This new success again shows the strength of our customer program.”
Actually Team Cusco in itself is special amongst the ŠKODA customer teams worldwide – right now its ŠKODA FABIA R5 is the first and only imported ŠKODA to Japan. As a reward, Team Cusco won the FIA Asia-Pacific Championship Teams Award 2018.
Winning the 2018 APRC driver title is Sumiyama’s biggest success so far. Competing in rallies since 2002, the 42-year old is one of the most experienced drivers from Japan. He had previously won the APRC-integrated Asia Cup in 2012 and 2014. In 2004 he celebrated his debut in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) when he competed at Rally Japan, at that time part of the WRC calendar. Since 2008, Sumiyama is part of Team Cusco, driving a ŠKODA FABIA R5 for the first time full season during the 2018 APRC.
Yuya Sumiyama and Takahiro Yasui on the podium along with APRC president Vicky Chandhok (third from left). Photo: Skoda Motorsport Having scored already four victories this season, Sumiyama started the final round of the championship, as the new champion. Nevertheless, he opened proceedings with the second fastest time in the first special stage. He was fastest of the APRC competitors ahead of the more powerful rally cars of the national Chinese Rally Championship’s own categories. But two stages later, the Team Cusco driver had to survive a heart-stopping moment.
“I entered one corner a little bit too fast and hit something with the left rear side of my car,” Sumiyama confessed. Although the suspension was bent, he managed to return to service, where Team Cusco’s mechanics fixed the car. The time loss made him drop significantly in the general classification. But when his opponent for the APRC category win, New Zealand driver Mike Young, had to retire due to a broken engine and Sumiyama reached the finish line as APRC winner.
On the podium, the winning pair and the whole Team Cusco were greeted by a cheering crowd, amongst them Dr. Ralf Hanschen, President ŠKODA China.
Final standings FIA APRC (after five rounds, one round cancelled):
- Yuya Sumiyama (JPN), ŠKODA FABIA R5, 193 points
- Fabio Frisiero (ITA), Peugeot 208 AP4, 79 points
- Michael Young (NZL), Toyota Vitz AP4, 37 points
FIA APRC Cup for Manufacturers (after five rounds, one round cancelled):
- ŠKODA, 193 points
- Peugeot, 79 points
- Subaru, 38 points
FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) – ŠKODA’s titles:
2018 Sumiyama/Yasui (JPN/JPN) ŠKODA FABIA R5
2017 Gill/Prévot (IND/BEL) ŠKODA FABIA R5
2016 Gill/Macneall (IND/NZL) ŠKODA FABIA R5
2015 Tidemand/Axelsson (SWE/SWE) ŠKODA FABIA R5/ŠKODA FABIA S2000
2014 Kopecký/Dresler (CZE/CZE) ŠKODA FABIA S2000
2013 Gill/Macneall (IND/NZL) ŠKODA FABIA S2000
2012 Atkinson/ Prévot (NZL/BEL) ŠKODA FABIA S2000
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Paddon drives to fourth International Rally of Whangarei win; Sumiyama tops APRC field
Hayden Paddon, winner of International Rally of Whangarei. Photo: Geoff Ridder Whangarei, 6 May 2018: Fastest across all 18 of the weekend’s special stages at the ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei, WRC driver Hayden Paddon and co-driver Mal Peden clinched in their Hyundai i20, here on Sunday. Paddon comfortably won the opening round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the second round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) by a margin of 7mins, 26.3secs.
“It’s been a a very good weekend. Everything has gone according to plan and I’ve enjoyed the roads up here. The others have also done a very good job, so the event has been great. I’ve been pretty comfortable with how everything has gone this weekend and it’s paid off,” said a measured Paddon, just before lifting the kauri trophy at the ceremonial finish.
A total of 29 cars returned to Whangarei for the ceremonial finish at the quayside town basin. Of the four international entrants, only two made to the finish after today’s eight special stages, held south of Whangarei.
APRC topper Yuya Sumiyama. Photo: Geoff Ridder Running second to Paddon after the first three of the weekend stages ex-pat Kiwi Mike Young and co-driver Malcolm Read were unable to resume competition for today’s final leg, after retiring on the Saturday with radiator damage in their Toyota Vitz. Fuyuhiko Takahashi and co-driver Mitsuo Nakamura (Subaru) left the road in the morning’s third test while a mistake in the earlier loop of today’s stages by overnight leader Fabio Frisiero and Simone Scattolin in their Peugeot allowed Yuya Sumiyama and Takahiro Yasui to climb ahead in their Skoda Fabia. Sumiyama finished 11th overall while Italy’s Frisiero finished 15th.
“I’m very very happy but very very lucky. The roads have been very fast, and I have liked the weekend. Today I just tried to go faster and I am lucky to win,” said Sumiyama.
Contesting the New Zealand roads for a third time in his career, Frisiero said the level of competition was very high: “I’m feeling a lot better this afternoon and I’ve enjoyed it so much. It’s been the best. We tried to catch Sumiyama this afternoon but it was impossible, he was just too fast and congratulations to him for getting the win.
“It’s also been a surprise for us to even be here, and in this position so I’m extremely happy. The roads have been very slippery and narrow in some places but very fast. You have to know the roads to be able to drive them fast and my compliments go to the NZ drivers who went very fast.”
Standing alongside Paddon and Peden on the podium was Auckland’s Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn (Subaru) while Australian Rally Champion Nathan Quinn and David Calder (Ford) finished third, a further 1m04.6sec behind Hunt.
“It’s been a fantastic weekend. To get second at Otago and second here in Whangarei is an awesome result for the team and the car – that’s come a long way. I love the roads up here and the way we hop in and out of them is fantastic – so overall it’s been a great event,” commented Hunt.
Celebrating 30 years of APRC competition, the internationals ship their cars to Australia for the series second round: 1 – 3 June. The NZRC series heads back to the South Island for the 3 June running of the Lone Star Canterbury Rally.
ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei Results (Top-10 Overall, provisional): 1. Hayden Paddon / Mal Peden, Hyundai i20; 2. Ben Hunt / Tony Rawstorn, Subaru WRX +04:02.4; 3. Nathan Quinn / David Calder, Ford Fiesta +05:03.3; 4. Emma Gilmour / Anthony McLaughlin, Suzuki Swift +05:08.5; 5. Dylan Turner / Sarah Breenan, Audi S1 +05:16.4; 6. Josh Marston / Andrew Graves, Holden Barina +06:04.2; 7. Eugene Creugnet / Philippe Delrieu, Mitsubishi Lander +06:12.0; 8. Regan Ross / Samantha Gray, Ford Escort +07:27.5; 9. David Holder / Jason Farmer, Ford Fiesta +08:00.7; 10. Marcus van Klink / Dave Neill, Mazda RX8 +08:07.1.
FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship: 1. Yuya Sumiyama / Takahiro Yasui (Skoda Fabia); 2. Fabio Frisiero / Simone Scattolin (Peugeot).
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Paddon takes commanding lead after first day of International Rally of Whangarei
Hayden Paddon at full blast in International Rally of Whangarei. Photo: Geoff Ridder Whangarei 5 May 2018: Wanaka’s Hayden Paddon and co-driver Mal Peden park their Hyundai after today’s eight special stages at the ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei holding an advantage of 4mins, 02.4secs. Placed second at the overnight halt is Ben Hunt and Tony Rawstorn in a Subaru while third is Emma Gilmour and Anthony McLoughlin in a Suzuki.
Opening the six-round FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the second round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC), the event is contested across 277 kms of fast, flowing Northland New Zealand roads.
Starting Friday night with a double-run of a 1km long Super Special Stage, Paddon set the scene taking a near 5-sec lead into today’s eight high-speed tests, held north of host city Whangarei.
Autumnal weather conditions included fog for the opening stages, causing angst for some. While Paddon added a further 38 secs on the field after the opening test, it caught out Australian pairing Richie Dalton and Dale Moscat who left the road at speed.
Mechanical issues then slowed leading international entry Mike Young and Malcom Read in the Toyota Vitz, eventually grinding them to a halt mid-morning after sitting second overall behind Paddon.
Fabio Frisiero. Photo: Geoff Ridder The journey returned the teams to Whangarei for a midday service break before repeating the loop of stages in the afternoon. Paddon again set fastest time in each test to stretch his advantage. Italy’s Fabio Frisiero and Simone Scattolin in the Peugeot head the international field, 19th overall with Yuya Sumiyama and Takahiro Yasui from Japan 21st, in a Skoda.
“I’ve been really happy with how today has gone. We were trying to look after the tyres this afternoon and manage the through the stages with them. It’s been a really enjoyable day and everything has gone according to plan. With the slightly different stages tomorrow we will hopefully manage to keep pushing on and hopefully maintain what we have gotten from today,” said three-time winner Paddon after the day’s action.
“This afternoon has gone a lot better on the second time through. It’s been a surprise to be leading international but we’re happy,” said Frisiero. “As the day has gone on, our confidence got better. Our feeling for the car got better and so did the grip. Hopefully, we will be able to keep it going for tomorrow.”
With the pleasant weather set to continue, Sunday’s remaining eight stages take the teams south of Whangarei. Starting at 7am, the journey heads south through Waipu Caves and Millbrook areas before heading west and north through Waiotira and back to Whangarei for a service break mid-morning. Following the late morning-early afternoon repeat run, the cars then arrive back in Whangarei for the ceremonial finish, to be held at the Quayside Town Basin from 3pm.
ENEOS International Rally of Whangarei – top-10 Overall (provisional): 1. Hayden Paddon / Malcolm Peden (Hyundai i20, 01hr, 34mins, 56.2secs); 2. Ben Hunt / Tony Rawstorn (Subaru WRX Sti) +04:02.4; 3. Emma Gilmour / Anthony McLoughlin (Suzuki Swift) +05:03.3; 4. Nathan Quinn / David Calder (Ford Fiesta R5) +05:08.5; 5. Dylan Turner / Sarah Brennan (Audi Quattro S1) +05:16.4; 6. Graham Featherstone / Dave Devonport (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII) +06:04.2; 7. Josh Marston / Andrew Graves (Holden Barin) +06:12.0; 8. Grant Blackberry / Ric Chalmers (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X) +07:27.5; 9. Geof Argyle / Joelle Eyre (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VIII) +08:00.7; 10. Matthew Jensen / Kieran Anstis, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX) +08:07.1.
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Karamjit wins Pune leg by loses APRC title by a point
Pune, 7 Dec 2003: Karamjit Singh of Malaysia won the MRF India rally with a stunning drive on a difficult terrain on the western outskirts of Pune, steering his Group A Proton to a creditable victory but failed to retain his FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship title, losing by just a point to Armin Kremer, here on Sunday.
INRC Winners – Jiby & Nikhil
Meanwhile, it was Jiby Maliakkal and co-driver Nikhil Pai, who clinched the honours in the Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) bringing home their Honda City VTec to a comfortable win in the 1600cc class. The INRC was held concurrently with the APRC round here in Pune. Mysore driver Lohit Urs and co-driver Musa Sherif won the 1400cc class.
Tactical Kremer gains
Coming back to APRC, German Armin Kremer not only won the the overall honours for the year but also took home the Production Class victory for the year 2003 by finishing 2nd overall in the final leg in Pune. Behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7, Kremer won the title on his MRF tyres-backed Mitsubhishi by garnering seven super rally points for his drive here, which proved crucial in the end.
Before the start of the APRC final round here, four drivers were competing with a chance to win the championship. Kiwi driver Geoff Argyle was on table top with 45 points followed by Kremer on 43 and, Japan’s Fumio Nutahara was third another six points behind Kremer on 37. Defending APRC champion, Malaysian Karamjit Singh had only 34 points but still had a fair chance of clinching the title again with a maximum of 19 points on offer in the last leg in Pune. However, as one would have it, despite taking the Overall victory here, Karamjit missed a chance to retain the title by a point as Kremer managed 7 super rally points to seal the championship.
Kremer was leading overnight after a good run in the first leg while Karamjit lost about 90 seconds due to a puncture and the three super rally points stood Kremer in good stead with Singh getting only two, which in the end proved costly for the Malaysian.
Despite winning the next two legs and the points, Karamjit Singh had to rue the point he lost in the first leg. He increased the lead to 2 minutes 22 seconds but Kremer was cool enough to guard his second place in the last two legs, thus winning the championship.
Italian Nico Caldarola was third in a Mitsubishi Lancer 7 and MRF team-mate of Kremer, David Doppelrieter was fourth.
Geof Argyle had issues all the day as he had problems with shock absorber before overheating and punctures ruined his chances and he ended up at 6th place by the end of Day 1. But he still had a chance on the following days for the other legs as his contender for the championship Fumio Nutahara crashed out with a suspension issue. His team-mate Katsu Taguchi also pulled out with bad gearbox.
Playig a tactical game and a second place enough for the championship, Kremer took it easy in the second leg and let the Malaysian Karamjit pull up a gap in the lead and was content protecting his second place. “I know I just had to come second. But I have to finish and take the second place for the bonus point for the day which is very crucial. It meant I couldn’t back-off. With the rough conditions it was difficult to know the right pace,” said Kremer. But the way he drove, Kremer judged well during all the stages on the final day. And, he finally made it by just a point.
“I’m very happy to take the overall win because we came here looking for the Group N title for this year. So this is fantastic. This is a wonderful championship with so many countries, conditions and cultures. For European drivers it is such a good experience to have so many events with gravel and they are all so different. It is over and we now we think about next year,” concluded the champion from Germany.
Karamjit Singh said: “I am happy to win in India as this country is very special to me. But it is a bit frustrating to lose the championship by a point.”
