The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Geof Argyle wins in style

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 31, 2004

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Sport - Racing : Motor

Geof Argyle wins in style

By Sanjay Rajan

NOUMEA (NEW CALEDONIA), MAY 30. Kiwi Geof Argyle won the two-day Rally of New Caledonia, the second round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship for cars 2004, which concluded here on Sunday.

It was certainly an unexpected result since Argyle was third overnight, a full minute and 25 seconds behind leader Armin Kremer of Team MRF. The lead between Kremer, the reigning APRC champion, and second-placed Karamjit Singh of Malaysia had been 19 seconds.

Argyle drove the second leg of six stages, held in the hills of Plum, in a steady manner to emerge winner, while Kremer finished runner-up. Singh, winner of the season-opener in Canberra, retired in Special Stage 10 — the day's fourth stage — due to engine trouble after gaining a sizeable lead over the rest.

"I thought the overnight lead was too much," said Argyle, who had to retire on the opening day of the Canberra event due to an engine problem.

A broken drive shaft on the day's second stage saw Kremer lose 90 seconds. Meanwhile, Singh, who went from strength to strength with his daredevil driving, took the lead. However, Singh's engine packed up helping Argyle to become the leader.

At the end of the 10th stage, 20 seconds separated Argyle and Kremer. The Team MRF's ace driver brought Argyle's lead down to six seconds in the 11th stage. The stage was now set for a showdown. Kremer suffered a puncture midway into the stage and lost 90 seconds changing the front tyre. The challenge ended there.

Argyle was all praise for Kremer's final burst. "The final two stages were rocky, but Kremer was up to it," said the Kiwi, who beat Kremer to the title by 42 seconds.

"Considering all the troubles that I went through today, a second-place finish is not bad at all. Had it not been for the puncture, I would have certainly won it. Back-to-back runner-up spots are indeed a good start to the season. I am leading the points table now. We now focus on the New Zealand round (July 10 and 11)," said Kremer.

APRC final placings: 1. G. Argyle/ S. Smith, NZ, Team Total Lubricants, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo8, 2:25.49; 2. A. Kremer/ T. Gottschalk, Ger, Team MRF, Evo8, 2:26.31; 3. C. Atkinson/ B. Atkinson, Aus, Suzuki Ignis Super 1600, 2:27.51.

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