Motor Rally: Strong field, stiff competition expected in MRC first round
NST, 29/3/2008

THERE could easily be an upset this weekend in the first round of the Malaysian Rally Championship (MRC) with many strong teams entered and battling for the first championship points of the season.

Defending champions Karamjit Singh and co-driver Jagdev Singh, who normally steer their Mitsubishi Evo 8 to easy wins, are forced to drive a less powerful Proton Satria this weekend, which paves the way for other teams to challenge for the trophy.

The Perodua M5 Racing Team has two strong and experienced contenders in Kan Chee Hong and Bernard Chin in the Perodua Myvi, and Lim Leong Onn and Kamarul Anuar Mohd Razzali in the Perodua Viva.

Chee Hong was runner-up Overall in last year's championship and Perodua won the overall team category.

The GSR Pennzoil Racing Team of brothers Gunaseelan and Jayaselan Rajoo are also eyeing a top three finish.

They have the necessary experience to handle the anticipated slippery conditions in Bahau, Negri Sembilan. Clerk of the Course for the Championship, Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar Almarhum Tengku Suleiman said the course is slippery because of the rain earlier this week.

"If it rains heavily this weekend it will be very muddy and we could be pulling cars out of the stages," he said.

More than 20 cars will be officially flagged off by Mohd Razi Kail, Negri Sembilan Tourism executive committee chairman, at Kompleks Feldajaya Selatan in Jempol at noon today.

Leg One of the rally today will see the drivers compete in eight special stages with a total of 109.39km.

The longest stage for Leg One is 16.78km at Feldajaya while the shortest is 7.63km at Jerneh.

< BACK