The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Kremer aiming to consolidate lead

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 09, 2004

Sport

Sport - Racing : Motor

Kremer aiming to consolidate lead

By Rakesh Rao

ROTORUA (NEW ZEALAND), JULY 8. Every year, the roar from the silencer-less cars taking part in the Rally of Rotorua, as part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, wakes up this sleepy and silent town.

The Indian interest in the event is understandable with Team MRF's Armin Kremer leading after two legs of the six-leg circuit. Kremer, the 2003 APRC champion, sounded hopeful of maintaining his position on the eve of the two-day competition on Thursday.

"The conditions here are a lot different than they were in Canberra and New Caledonia (during the first two legs). The course here is wet, muddy and twisty. Yesterday, it rained and became dark before I could complete my recce. But I am happy to have Fred (Berssen) back as my co-driver," said the 34-year-old German who had driven in the company of Timo Gottschalk in the previous two legs of APRC this season. In May, Kremer finished sixth in Canberra and second in New Caledonia to take the overall lead.

The 2002 European champion will be steering a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO8, fitted with MRF's new tyres designed especially to excel here. These tyres were tested here a few days ago and the final choice was left to the drivers.

Team MRF's second entry, Katshiko Taguchi and co-driver Mark Stacey, will be starting in fourth place. Taguchi, a three-time winner of the Malaysian Rally, described the round here as his favourite.

He fancied his chances since the smooth gravel here is to his liking. "The new engine and enhanced torque will help me through the twisty corners," said the 32-year-old, who has the experience of racing in the World Rally Championship.

The duo of Karamjit Singh and Allen Oh is also no less motivated. Runner-up in the first leg, Karamjit was ahead in the second by over two minutes before his car, a Proton Pert, broke down.

"I think, I can win this one," was how Karamjit assessed his chances. "The key is to go fast and not be too cautious. Barring the back-to-back special stages (stretching 45.99 kilometres) at Motu, one can really go fast," said Karamjit adding that he was keen to make up for the lost opportunity at New Caledonia.

In all, 39 cars, including nine of the APRC will form the field. The rally, incorporating the New Zealand's National championship, will have 13 stages spread over 252.19 kilometres.

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