RalliHeart | FIA APRC

After a thrilling season opener in Whangerai, New Zealand - The second round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship is all set to begin its action at the Island of New Caledonia. After an successful shakedown, Team MRF driver Espekka Lappi & Gaurav Gill feel good with the setup of their car and so does the rest of the competition. Gaurav Gill went fastest in the shakedown stage. Production class leader, Sanjay Takale too is on a high with his recent victory in his first outing in a 4WD Subaru Impreza in the previous test at Whangerai, and hopes for a similar top finish on the podium. Micheal (Mike) Young, the young lad from New Zealand had not just won his class, but also finished on top roll with clinching the overall 3rd in the APRC competition. Too bad, that he had to miss this rally. Day One : In the opening test of the rally, at the end of Leg 1, India's No.1 rally driver Gaurav Gill from Team MRF Tyres leads the rally by over 5 min

International Rally of Whangerai , marks the beginning of the new season for A sia P acific R ally C hampionship this year. It also dawns to a new level of competition, with Team MRF bringing in the Finnish rally star, Esapekka Lappi as their driver for one of the two Skoda Fabia S2000 car, along with India's ace rally driver Gaurav Gill . Proton Motorsport have opted out of all International events this year, quoting to concentrate on their home-ground events. Citing this development, FiA too has opened up a new class for the production based cars to compete in its own category. Toyota too have come up with their 2WD Yaris rally car & is driven by Micheal Young , who also did take it up to the podium in 2WD class and third overall in the APRC level too. Esapekka Lappi took the honors of the champagne showers on top of the podium. Gaurav Gill completed the 1-2 finish with an overall second place to claim full points to Team MRF . Top 5 Final