Gaurav Gill wins FIA-APRC (Asia Rally Cup) round

Gaurav Gill had for the first time in his career partnered with Aniruddha Rangnekar.

India’s Gaurav Gill did just enough to clinch the second round of the FIA-Asia Pacific Rally Championship (Asia Rally Cup) at the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC) here on Sunday.

The South India Rally concluded with two of the four special stages being called off due to heavy overnight rains rendering the Madras International Circuit (MIC) track water-logged and unmotorable.

Gill had for the first time in his career partnered with Aniruddha Rangnekar.

Reflecting on his performance, Gill said: “I am very relieved as it was a mentally very taxing weekend. There were niggles with my car that went on forever, and I am happy to bring it back home safely.

“There were also extreme changes in conditions. One stage (MIC track) was bone dry and the other (Aavisa) slushy yesterday (Saturday), and today (Sunday) it was the other way around. I had a tough time negotiating it.

“As for the new co-driver, Aniruddha worked hard and was good considering it was his first time out with me. I was a bit nervous initially, but we settled down. Looking ahead, I will be getting back into the INRC this season and also plan to do the final round of the APRC in Indonesia later this year.”

Mangaluru’s Aroor Arjun Rao (Satish Rajagopal) took the overall title in the Blueband Sports FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship - his first win in seven years.