John Punnoose –
MRF Rally Team won the International Rally of Whangarei APRC 2015 held from April 17 to 19, 2015.
It was a proud movement for the Team, Gourav Gill and India.
The first round of the APRC 2015 season started with 48 competitors from New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, Japan and China.
The journey covered 282.2 kms of fast flowing rural roads in the Northland and Whangarei regions, broken into 16 timed tests.
Starting Friday night (April 17) with a ceremonial welcome and two nighttime Super Special Stage runs, Pontus Tidemand from Sweden MRF Team opened an early lead that continued towards the final stage of the rally.
The Swede won all but one of the special stages.
On board MRF Tyres Skoda Fabia S2000, the duo finished 5 minutes 51.8 seconds clear of teammate. Defending Champion Gaurav Gill (India) took the first place, while Glenn Macneall (Australia) took the second place.
New Zealand, pairing Mike Young and Malcolm Read, finished third.
The next round of the APRC will be held later this month in New Caledonia.
John Punnoose is a former Freelance Rally Driver from India. He is an official of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India and accompanies all the MRF Rally Teams competing in APRC Rally.
