Gill focused on winning APRC title after two low-key seasons
Gaurav Gill says he is keen on putting the last two seasons behind him as he prepares for his sixth full campaign in Asia Pacific Rally championship this season.
Gaurav Gill and Glenn MacNeall, Skoda Fabia S2000, Team MRF
Anand Philar
Following his emphatic championship win in 2013, Gill endured two difficult years in APRC where he struggled to keep up with his more experienced teammates.
2016 will also be an uphill task for the New Delhi-based driver with new teammate Fabian Kreim having considerable experience in the new Skoda Fabia R5, but Gill is confident of a better showing this time around.
“It will be a fresh challenge for me,’’ Gill said. “The car is new which I have never driven before, and a new team-mate who has had considerable experience in the R5 which is very different from the R4 that I was driving.”
“The previous two seasons haven’t been good for me, but I want to put all that behind and focus on the 2016 championship.”
Kreim, who replaces outgoing champion Pontus Tidemand, drove for Skoda Auto Deutschland team in the German Rally Championship in 2015, finishing second with five wins under his belt.
The 23-year old will team-up with compatriot Frank Christian while Gill will continue his association with long-time co-driver Glenn Macneall from Australia.
Speaking ahead of the start of the season, Mr Arun Mammen, Managing Director, MRF Ltd, said: “We are looking forward to another exciting APRC season and defend our titles.
"We are confident that our run of success will continue this year also.”
The 2016 season of APRC begins in New Zealand on the weekend of April 30 - May 1. The six-round season will conclude in India with Rally Chikmagalur.
Team MRF's association with Skoda has been highly successful, leading to four consecutive titles between 2012 and 2015.
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