motorsport @ your finger tips

March 15, 2009 : Gill who had a failed brake at the end of the 1st Day and had to crawl home in 12th place climbed up 5 positions but failed to reach home after his car stalled in the final transport Stage.

Gill who lost time on Stage 12 due to a rock hit that damaged the steering arm was penalised 30 secs for late arrival at TC but was determined to make up for it on stage 13.

Stage 13 saw Gill demonstrate why those who have watched Gill during his rallying in India and the APRC call him the "FLYING SARDAR". Clocking the 4th fastest time in the PWRC section Gill was flying on the stretches of Anadiou.

Gill had driven so well that the team was sure he would bring home the first point for the prestige of the Nation but destiny had other plans.

More rain had fallen overnight and although there was no sign of it at 0800hrs in Limassol, where conditions were dry and bright, light rain was still falling in the region west of the Troodos Mountains where today’s stages are based . Like Saturday morning, stage conditions were damp and extremely muddy in places.

At 0800hrs the temperature in Limassol was 12°C but at the start of the first Foini stage (SS12) it was a chilly 6°C. Sunday’s third and final day of the Cyprus Rally might be the shortest of the event, but with two of the longest stages still to come, it packs a hell of a punch. Once again the action is based on the gravel roads in the Troodos Mountains north of Limassol. And with the latest weather forecast predicting more dry weather, the going is likely to be at least as slippery and dusty as it was on Saturday afternoon. The day featured only three stages and 82.27km of competition, but with the opening two tests measuring 30km and 40km respectively, it provided a real sting in the tail.
Competitors left Limassol at 0815hrs and to tackle the 30.03km Foini (SS- 12) before a remote 15-minute service at the Anadiou Dam.

Gaurav was 6.8 secs faster than Arai at the 20km Stage 12, but Gaurav hit a Rock on the left side which bent the left front anti Roll Bar & damaged the steering arm and lost 4 mins in next 10kms. He finally finished the Stage in 33.15.2mins.He came to service on 3 wheels. Left the service fresh & raring to go.

Mohan Nagarajan Team Principal TSI Racing from the remote service said “Gaurav came into service the on 3 wheels.The Crew did a wonderful job by replacing the front lower arms, the antiroll bar & the Drive shafts within 14 mins”

Gaurav said “We were going really fast & hit a boulder on the left which bent the left front anti roll bar & damaged the steering Arm. We were committed to finish the Stage at any cost. I must thank my crew”

After that, in the 40.54km Anadiou (SS-13) he was back with a vengeance, driving flat out.. 4th fastest in PWRC, in the longest stage of the event with a time of 43.33.5min. The last stage was a repeat pass through the 11.70km Anadiou Dam (SS-14) without a service break. Gill was 6th fastest with a time of 12.40.4min.

But the car stalled after the flying finish of this last SS. Initially it was thought that there could be some minor problem and that this could be sorted out, but unfortunately, this did not happen. The car just refused to start, putting a sad end not only to the hopes of Gill, TSI Racing, but to all motorsport enthusiasts, here in India.

The next rally is Vodafone Rally de Portugal on 2-5 April 2009.

** END **