Pune, Dec 05: Germany's Armin Kremer (co-driver Fred Berssen), driving a group n (unmodified) Mitsubishi Lancer evolution 7 in team MRF Tyres colours, made the best of the situation that had the early leaders dropping off the pace on the first day of the three-day MRF India Rally, here today. The rally was the fifth and concluding round of FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).
At the conclusion of leg 1, comprising five special stages (SS), Kremer found himself a minute clear of nearest rival, Malaysia's Karamjit Singh (co-driver Allen Oh) of team Petronas Eon racing in a Group A (modified) Proton Pert, as per provisional and unaudited classifications.
The rough terrain took its toll. Championship contender, Fumio Nutahara (co-driver Satoshi Hayashi) of team Advan-Piaa, was the quickest on SS-1 but was off the pace in SS-2 before going off the road in SS-3, and with it out of the event.
Nutahara's premature exit meant that Kremer, who led the Japanese ace by 12 points (66 to 54) in Group N going into the MRF India Rally, clinched the class title, and should the German safeguard his lead over the weekend, then he could well emerge the overall champion.
Meanwhile, championship leader Geof Argyle had his hands full with a problematic Group A Evo 6.5 that suffered a puncture, a broken strut and a troublesome clutch, all in SS-2, leading to loss of pace. Bureau Report