Team MRF look to maintain lead

West Coast (Australia): A last-minute visa issue threatened to put Gaurav Gill, the 2013 Asia Pacific Rally Champion’s bid for second straight title at stake, but the Indian, who spent six anxious hours at Singapore airport before finally making it to the scenic West Coast here in Australia for the third leg of the APRC championship sounded upbeat.

The tricky forestry roads at Imbil will host the International Rally of Queensland which is likely to further bolster Team MRF’s top position on the points table. With one win apiece from the first two legs of the championship in New Zealand and New Caledonia, both Gill and teammate Jan Kopecky need a win to move into a clear lead. Driving Skoda Fabia’s S2000 cars, the two have expectedly been the fastest this season.

The rally that will cover a total of 16 stages over the weekend is going to be challenging for the drivers after the coastal town received the season’s first showers. The longest stage of the rally 35.72 km in Round Three of the Australian Rally Championship.

Having won in 2010, Gill will bank on his experience and form having won the Rally of Maharashtra earlier this week. “It is going to be slippery and at the same time very fast,” Gill said at the ceremonial start held on Friday.

It will be interesting to see how Kopecky shapes up as it will be his first sojourn in Australia. The European Rally Champion has been excellent on tarmac roads but his skills will be tested here.