Kochi, Sept 13, 2008

Team MRF finished the first leg of the Popular Rally of Kerala 2008 1-2, with Lohith Urs & co-driver Chandramouli leading the pack followed by Arjun Rao Aroor & Satish Rajagopal. The Team Red who had a set back when their ace driver Gaurav Gill went off the road and crashed out, took the challenge and went ahead.

Gaurav Gill was leading the rally after the Super Special Stage yesterday, but bad luck put paid to his rally today. He has suffered a minor injury on his nose, but was fine after first aid. “I really feel bad about the crash”, said a forlorn looking Gill. Arjun Balu & Kumar were the other drop out from Team MRF.

Team Red Rooster Racing Vikram Mathias & P.V.S.Murthy had a bad day as they pulled out in the penultimate stage of the day as they dropped out due to mechanical problems.

28 of the 34 starters were running the last transport section, even as this report was being filed. A 90 minute delay in the running of the rally due to technical reasons, ensured that the rallyists who started the day at 8 am had a late finish.

Results (Provisional - without timings):

1. Team MRF Limited - Lohith Urs & co-driver Chandramouli
2. Team MRF Limited - Arjun Rao Aroor & Satish Rajagopal.
3. Team Winspeed Motorsport – Sanket Shanbhag & Ramesh Shanbhag

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