Date:27/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/27/stories/2006052705192000.htm

Sport - Racing : Motor

Team MRF in lead

Chikmagalur: Arjun Balu with co-driver Kumar Ramaswamy of Team MRF gained a nominal advantage after the conclusion of the Super Special Stage at the Mountain View College grounds here on Friday. Arjun showed fine mastery of the dusty tracks in his Ford Fiesta and clocked 2.42s in the two-kilometre track.

Naren Kumar of Team JK Tyre was second placed with a time of 2.44s and but for a small blemish where he hit the tyre after a sharp turn could well have had a better timing. Arjun Rao Aroor and navigator Chandramouli ended up with a poor timing of 3.05.

Arjun joint third

Arjun would have had much better timing but the marshals manning the barrier tape at the finish failed to lower the tape to allow Arjun to pass through when he finished the scheduled laps. The stewards met with regard to Arjun's appeal and re-set his timing at 2m 0.45s, placing him in the joint third position.

In the upto 1400 cc section, Chetan Shivram (Roopesh Kholay) had the best timing of 2.49. In the Rally Star Cup, Amanpreet Ahluwalia (Manoj Shadija) had the best timing of 2.53s. Sandeep Sharma (C.K. Chinnappa) led in the Gypsy Class clocking 2.48s. — Special Correspondent