APRC Malaysia: MRF takes 1-2 finish, Gill second

Pontus Tidemand led a 1-2 finish for Team MRF at the Malaysian round of Asia Pacific Rally Championship on Sunday, extending his lead in the drivers standings to 44 points over teammate and 2013 champion Gaurav Gill.

Having held a 01:19.9s lead overnight, Tidemand won five of the six stages scheduled on Sunday, eventually winning the rally by 1:56.5s. With just two rounds remaining in the championship, the Swedish driver looks set to claim a maiden APRC title.

“I had a good day today and absolutely no problems with the car. I was new to these conditions and it was very challenging. But I am happy that I survived and brought the car home safely. We have two more rounds in Japan and China, and I looking forward to it. Like I said, all this is new to me, but I want to do well,” said Tidemand.

India’s Gaurav Gill, meanwhile, had to concede with a second place finish on what was ‘the worst weekend of my life’. The MRF driver lost lost a heap of time with overheating issues, with differential issues adding to his misery.

Gill, however, was the quickest driver in the final stage of the rally and took a comfortable victory in the Asia Cup.

“The rear differential stopped working during the first loop and there was no grip. So, I couldn’t drive normally. Then we had heavy rains during the second loop, but we were quicker in the last Stage.

“Overall, it was the worst weekend of my life with all the problems we had due to grass getting into the radiator grill and all that. I now look forward to the remaining two rounds.”

The next round of the APRC is scheduled in Japan from September 18-20.