ID :
165142
Wed, 03/02/2011 - 06:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/165142
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THE BATTLE CONTINUES
By Dan Guen Chin
JOHOR BAHARU (Johor, Malaysia), March 2 (Bernama) -- An impressive list of rally's big names are down for the 2011 Malaysian Rally championship to be run off at the Tai Tak Estate in Kota Tinggi on April 1.
Heading the list is Japan's defending champion Katsu Taguchi who will be racing under the MRF banner and the runner-up, teamate Guarav Gill of India who made it a 1-2 finish over the six-round championship last season which saw the participants race in Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, Japan and China.
Malaysia, or rather, Kota Tinggi, is the first of the six stops of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) which form part of the Malaysian Rally Championship 2011.
Malaysia's challenge at the APRC 2011 will be spearheaded by reigning Malaysian Rally championship overall winner Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya And his co-driver Sean Gregory, in their Subaru Impreza and the Pennzoil GSR team of Gunaseelan Rajoo and Jagdev Singh behind the wheels of a Mitsubishi Lancer.
Japan's Yuya Sumiyama, who won the China leg of the APRC last year, is also confirmed for the Malaysian leg of the championship under the Cusco banner.
Malaysian car manufacturer Proton will also be represented with their Proton R3 team with Scotsman Alister McRae and Chris Atkinson, and will be putting their trust behind the wheels of their Proton Satria Neo 2000.
"It's a strong field and with a combined total of 33 cars on the starting grid, the Malaysian Rally 2011, I couldn't ask for more. Particularly, the return of a team from China who are making a comeback after a three-year absence," said clerk-of-course Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar.
But even as the APRC title chase looks competitive, the hunt for the Malaysian Rally overall title is just as intense, with the battle between Muhammad Rafiq and Karamjit Singh of the GSR Pennzoil team, set to continue.
Karamjit in a Mitsubish Lancer and Muhammad Rafiq were locked in a fight to the finish over the four rounds of the Malaysian Rally last season, but a series of mishaps along the way, killed off Karamjit's hopes, paving the way for Rafiq to take the crown.
The two will continue their battle over four rounds again this year, starting in Kota Tinggi, and then Kangar in June; Malacca in October and Negeri Sembilan in November for the final leg.
"I want to retain the crown and I am sure Karamjit wouldn't allow me an easy ride either. It will be a tough battle ahead but I look forward to the contest," said Muhammad Rafiq.
The organiser of the Malaysian Rally 2011, WheelSport Management Sdn Bhd, will also introduce a special stage race on a specially constructed track at the Plaza Angsana Johor Baru over a 2.5km stretch which will add to the championship point.
"This (the special stage) is bringing rallying close to the spectators since some may find it difficult to catch the action when the rally moves to the oil palm estates," said Tengku Shaharin.
JOHOR BAHARU (Johor, Malaysia), March 2 (Bernama) -- An impressive list of rally's big names are down for the 2011 Malaysian Rally championship to be run off at the Tai Tak Estate in Kota Tinggi on April 1.
Heading the list is Japan's defending champion Katsu Taguchi who will be racing under the MRF banner and the runner-up, teamate Guarav Gill of India who made it a 1-2 finish over the six-round championship last season which saw the participants race in Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, Japan and China.
Malaysia, or rather, Kota Tinggi, is the first of the six stops of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) which form part of the Malaysian Rally Championship 2011.
Malaysia's challenge at the APRC 2011 will be spearheaded by reigning Malaysian Rally championship overall winner Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya And his co-driver Sean Gregory, in their Subaru Impreza and the Pennzoil GSR team of Gunaseelan Rajoo and Jagdev Singh behind the wheels of a Mitsubishi Lancer.
Japan's Yuya Sumiyama, who won the China leg of the APRC last year, is also confirmed for the Malaysian leg of the championship under the Cusco banner.
Malaysian car manufacturer Proton will also be represented with their Proton R3 team with Scotsman Alister McRae and Chris Atkinson, and will be putting their trust behind the wheels of their Proton Satria Neo 2000.
"It's a strong field and with a combined total of 33 cars on the starting grid, the Malaysian Rally 2011, I couldn't ask for more. Particularly, the return of a team from China who are making a comeback after a three-year absence," said clerk-of-course Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar.
But even as the APRC title chase looks competitive, the hunt for the Malaysian Rally overall title is just as intense, with the battle between Muhammad Rafiq and Karamjit Singh of the GSR Pennzoil team, set to continue.
Karamjit in a Mitsubish Lancer and Muhammad Rafiq were locked in a fight to the finish over the four rounds of the Malaysian Rally last season, but a series of mishaps along the way, killed off Karamjit's hopes, paving the way for Rafiq to take the crown.
The two will continue their battle over four rounds again this year, starting in Kota Tinggi, and then Kangar in June; Malacca in October and Negeri Sembilan in November for the final leg.
"I want to retain the crown and I am sure Karamjit wouldn't allow me an easy ride either. It will be a tough battle ahead but I look forward to the contest," said Muhammad Rafiq.
The organiser of the Malaysian Rally 2011, WheelSport Management Sdn Bhd, will also introduce a special stage race on a specially constructed track at the Plaza Angsana Johor Baru over a 2.5km stretch which will add to the championship point.
"This (the special stage) is bringing rallying close to the spectators since some may find it difficult to catch the action when the rally moves to the oil palm estates," said Tengku Shaharin.
