Gaurav Gill victory in the fifth round of the Fia Asia Pacific Rally Championship in the Gudang Garam Rally of Indonesia was another milestone for Indian motorsport and rally fans to savour. The red letter moment was marked by the Indian national anthem playing as Gaurav took to the top step of the podium. Team MRF's Gaurav Gill is the first Indian driver to clinch a win in the APRC. Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, the Indian put on a great show from the start to the finishing line. Indonesia has proved lucky for Gill, this being his first rally finish this season.

An untimely accident had forced him out of the action in the first three rounds at New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand. At Rally Japan, Gaurav was second fastest by the end of day one but was forced to quit owing to differential issues. For Aussie Cody Crocker who waged a tough fight till the end, it was second time unlucky in Indonesia. He had settled for the final spot on the podium last year thanks to a puncture in the closing stages. Katsuhiko Taguchi made Team MRF's day with a second place finish. The Japanese driver with his consistency made the most of Crocker's distress.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for Gill in Indonesia however. He got off to a flying start and was fastest till the fifth stage, when gearbox mounting issues on day 2 slowed him down considerably. Crocker and Taguchi meanwhile were setting the fastest times there on. The scorching summer sun tested drivers to their limits in the dry gravel stages of the South Sulawesi region.

Name: Fia Asia Pacific Rally Championship.jpg Views: 48 Size: 13.9 KB

Gill's initial sprint earned him a lead of 7.7 seconds over Crocker by the end of the day's stages. Katsuhiko Taguchi ensured he was still in contention though he was a further 58.9 seconds behind. Unlike the disappointment of Japan Gaurav was determined to turn his lead into victory. He drove with utmost control and no m,argin for error to set the fastest times in the initial stages on day 3. A puncture in the transport stage cost him a 10-second penalty. Crocker who had nothing to lose was pushing for a win but a puncture in the penultimate stage put paid to his chances. It was cue for Gill to claim his maiden APRC win.

On podium with Gill was his new co driver, Malaysian Jagdev Singh, who was rally ace Karamjit Singh's navigator in the PWRC. Gill is eligible for the Pirelli Star Driver Program for budding drivers that guarantees a Pirelli supported drive in either the PWRC or 52000 series next season. With Jagdev who is literally at home on Malaysian terrain, the odds are in Gill's favour in the next round.

Taguchi currently leads the driver's championship with 55 points, but Team MRF's absence from the final round in China does not bode well for him. Cody Crocker has 49 points in his bag, with two more rounds to turn the tide in his favour. Dean Herridge is comfortably at the third spot with 32 points.