ETS takes second APRC victory in New Caledonia

Asia-Pacific Rally Championship [APRC] - New Caledonia
17-18 May, 2014

Reigning Asia Pacific Rally [APRC] champions Team MRF ŠKODA have dominated the New Caledonia round of the series, scoring an emphatic 1-2 in the two-day event, with reigning European Rally champion - Jan Kopecký - leading home reigning APRC champion and points leader Gaurev Gill by six minutes in the challenging conditions.

In the end the ETS-fueled team won all eleven stages, with Kopecký dominating the field to record his maiden victory in the APRC and bring he and navigator Pavel Dresler equal on points with their team-mates heading into round three in Australia on 20-22 June.

“We had quite a big lead on day two, so I just wanted to avoid making any mistakes on the muddy roads. I was under no pressure, and could relax in the Fabia Super 2000, which was perfect - as always,” said Kopecký

“We are now level with Gaurav [on points], which is good for the championship. It is always better when there is such a close battle.”

Unfortunately for the APRC field, the inclement weather conditions in New Caledonia presented a huge challenge, something which ultimately forced a series of retirements amongst the challengers and forced the cancellation of six of the proposed 17 stages.

Points-leader Gill had initially led the rally on day one, however contact with a tree and a subsequent off road excursion dropped him back to second, handing Kopecký an advantage he would hold to the final stage.

“We were a victim of the conditions with our crash on day one,” Gill explained. “However, we still managed to make the most of the situation for ourselves and the team in the end.”

“When there are stages being cancelled because of the weather you know that just getting to the finish is going to be difficult,” Team MRF boss, Lane Heenan added.

“On some sections the conditions were treacherous, so to get both cars to the finish and on the podium is a great result for us. Jan did a brilliant job on his first trip to New Caledonia, and the win will give him even more confidence heading to the Rally of Queensland next month.

“Gaurav looked to be on track for another win, but the conditions caught him out on the first day and he dropped time after hitting a tree. He recovered well, though, and second place has kept him right in the championship running.”

In the end, the two Race Torque Engineering  prepared ŠKODA MRF drivers clocked the fastest times on all eleven special stages.

New Zealander Michael Young prevailed in the often treacherous conditions to finish third, in the process taking victory in the two-wheel-drive and Production Car championships.

The APRC now moves to the International Rally of Queensland on June [20-22].

Results Rallye New Caledonia
1. Jan Kopecký (CZE)/Pavel Dresler (CZE), ŠKODA Fabia S2000, 2hr16m40.4s
2. Gaurav Gill (IND)/Glenn Macneall (NZL), ŠKODA Fabia S2000, +6m12.8
3. Michael Young (NZL)/Malcom Read (AUS), Proton Satria Neo, +6m37.9

2014 Asia Pacific Rally Championship
Driver points after round two (of six).
1. Gaurav Gill (IND) - 66,
2. Jan Kopecký (CZE) - 66,
3. Michael Young (NZL) - 36,
4. Mark Pedder (AUS) - 32,
5. Tom Wilde (AUS) - 25,
6. Jun Xu (CHN) - 17,
7. Sanjay Takale (IND) - 13
 

Position	Team	Driver	Car	ETS Racin Fuel
1	MRF	Jan Kopecky	Skoda Fabia S2000	Extra Max
2	MRF	Gaurav Gill	Skoda Fabia S2000	Extra Max