APRC Japan: Tidemand and MRF seal titles, Gill retires

Sweden’s Pontus Tidemand sealed the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) drivers’ championship by winning the Rally Hokkaido in Japan on Sunday, after MRF teammate Gaurav Gill retired with a mechanical problem. MRF also clinched the teams’ championship this weekend.

Gill was trailing Tidemand by 43 points going into Japan, the penultimate round of the APRC season, and needed a strong result - and misfortune for the Swede - to stay in the title fight. Unfortunately, a broken drive shaft prevented him from going any further than the first special stage.

“I drove to the start of the day’s first Stage and that was when I realized that there was a problem with the car,’’ said a disappointed Gill. “The front drive-shaft had broken and there was no drive in the car, but I managed to finish the Stage before pulling out. Obviously, I am extremely disappointed as I was looking forward to the event and hoping to win to stay in the championship.”

Gill’s retirement allowed Tidemand to cruise to victory in style. The 24-year-old destroyed the field, finishing 12 minutes ahead of his nearest challenger, Cusco Racing's Michael Young. Immens Motorsport’s Hitoshi Takayama completed the podium.

“When I decided to race in the APRC, I did not know anything about the conditions or the competition, but I enjoyed all the rallies though I would have liked the fight with Gill to extend to the last round in China,’’ said a jubilant Tidemand. “I am also extremely happy with the tyres that MRF have supplied. I think, we had just two punctures through the season, but that too because we hit some rocks."

Tidemand’s victory allowed MRF to seal the teams’ championship while Skoda clinched the manufacturer’s crown.

The final round of the APRC season will be held in China from October 30 to November 1. Thereafter, a standalone Asia Cup rally will be held at the Chikmagalur Rally, which is also the last round of the FMSCI Indian Rally Championship.

APRC Rally Hokkaido: Results (Top Three)

1. Pontus Tidemand / Emil Axelsson (Team MRF, Skoda Fabia S2000) 02hrs, 24mins, 49.5secs
2. Michael Young / Malcolm Read (Cusco Racing, Subaru Impreza WRX STi) 02:36:25.1
3. Hitoshi Takayama / Hideki Takeyabu (Immens Motorsport, Subaru Impreza WRX STi) 02:39:58.1