KARAMJIT
SINGH IS THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION
TITLE NO 12 AND YET HE IS NOT ABOUT TO GIVE UP
11
DECEMBER 2011 JEMPOL
- The Flying Sikh wrapped up the fourth and final round of the
Malaysian Rally 2011 in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan today to finish
unbeaten over two days of rallying which in the end also gave
him the overall crown too.
His two victories
in Jempol over the weekend saw him collect a total of 44 points
over the four roundsof competition held in Johor Baharu in April;
Kangar in July; Malacca in November and then Negeri Sembilan with
defending champion Rafiq Udhaya finishing second on a total of
42 points.
Karamjit who
drives under the GSR Pennzoil bannercame to Jempol trailing Rafiq
by two points and deep inside knows what needed to be done.
Obviously
he responded to the occasion and conquered the opening day on
Saturday in the 63.5km stage in his Mitsubishi Lancer. And again
he was in fiery form yesterday, sweeping past all and sundry in
the 46km stage to finish unbeaten again.
All in all
Karamjit and his Indian co-driver Viviek Ponnusamy clocked a total
time of 1 hr 36min 13.2secs while Rafiq and his partner Sean Gregory
in a Subaru Impreza, who finished second on both days, returned
a total time of 1hr 42mins 25.5secs.
Third overall
is Mike and Manuthi Arokiasamy in a Proton Satria in a time of
1 hr 46 mins 09.5secs.
"It has
been a long hard season. I am happy that I have picked up title
No 12 but it would not have been possible without the help of
my teamates support.
"It was
a team effort and I am looking forward to title No 13 next year.
I believe I still have a few more years left of rallying in me,"
said the 48-year old Karamjit.
For Rafiq,
losing the crown doesn't mean he is a loser either.
"I lost
to a better driver. Simple as that. Karamjit is an extraordinary
rally driver and to lose to him is no shame at all. Hopefully
next year we will try to win the crown again." he added.
And the organiser
of the Malaysian Rally, Wheel Sport Management, has annnounced
that the 2012 season will have five rounds instead of the present
four, a development which has earned the praise of the competitors.
Five is just
ideal. Four is a bit too little is the response from those who
are taking part.
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