PRESS RELEASE

VERY TRICKY STAGES SAY INTERNATIONAL APRC DRIVERS

13 August, 2009, Kota Tinggi – All the International drivers in this weekend’s FIA APRC Ancom Malaysian Rally 2009 (MR9) say the Stages are incredibly tricky and will prove to be very challenging.

“They are definitely more difficult than previous years,” said Gaurav Gill of India. “The Stages are more technical and of a much higher level of difficulty. There are so many junctions, some blind, and ruts, there’s no way we can go flat out.”

Gaurav and co-driver Glen Macneall of the MRF Tyres team said they are aiming to make no mistakes to ensure they finish the race.

That won’t be the case for Australia’s Cody Crocker, who is defending Champion and current leader on 46 points after four Rounds. Crocker will fight hard to stay in front and on track for another Championship win.

Katsu Taguchi, currently in second place on 38 points has two more races to try to beat Crocker. He and co-driver Mark Stacey are entered in the Rallies of Indonesia and China and are determined to win both and clinch the Championship trophy for the MRF Tyres team.

“There’s no point coming second in any of these three rallies,” said Stacey. “Second means we can’t win overall.”

Stacey echoed the other competitor’s comments about the Stages saying they are incredibly tricky and difficult. “We don’t mind if it’s tough, it just makes it hard work. All the events in the APRC are different and that’s what makes it interesting,” he added.

Clerk of the Course for the MR9, Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar Almarhum Tengku Suleiman is not surprised the competitors find the Stages challenging. “This year, it’s not about the machine you drive, it’s really about the skill of the driver. The Stages are very tricky, tight and slightly slippery,” he said.

Malaysia’s entry, veteran driver Karamjit Singh of the Proton R3 Malaysia team has other things on his mind. He is concerned that his left-hand drive Proton Satria Neo S2000 has him at a disadvantage.

“If the car was right-hand-drive I would be confident and able to attack. It’s a fabulous car and the tricky Stages I can handle. I just don’t feel comfortable so I’ll be taking it easy to ensure we finish,” Karamjit said after completing the reconnaissance earlier today.

Competitors will complete 16 Stages over 227.70klms across the weekend. The longest Stage is 24.46klms and the shortest is 3.09klms.

The official flag-off will be at the ZON Hotel, Johor Bahru on Friday 14 August, at 9pm.

For more information about this press release please contact:
Diane Barton
Media Director MR9
M: +6017 286 2208
Email: diane@pdq.com.my