The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Valimaki, Kalliolepo honoured

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 30, 2005

Sport

Sport - Racing : Motor

Valimaki, Kalliolepo honoured

Special Correspondent

FROM AN ARDENT FAN: Jussi Valimaki, winner of the APRC rally, receives a special memento from Sachin Tendulkar, MRF's brand ambassador, as co-driver Jarkko Kalliolepo looks on. — Photo: Shashi Ashiwal

Mumbai: Team MRF and Finland's Jussi Valimaki and Jarkko Kalliolepo, winner of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) for production cars were presented special mementoes by MRF brand ambassador, Sachin Tendulkar here on Wednesday.

"It's during the Swedish Rally that I came to know that MRF needed drivers for the APRC, that's not much known in Europe. The 2005 season was interesting, exciting an excellent. We drove for over 3,000 km and I can say that MRF tyres are very reliable,' said Valimaki.

Wonderful partnership

Congratulating the MRF team, Tendulkar said he is an ardent fan of motor sports.

"I have been having a wonderful partnership on and off the field with MRF since 1995-96. Generally the common man doesn't know what competition is all about in motor sports. The tyre is the heart of motors sports bringing contact with the car and the road.

"As Mr. Nazir Hossein (president MSFI and vice-president, FIA) said it's the combination of the driver, co-driver, car, set up of the car and the ability of the tyre to overcome circumstances that contributes to a successful race.''

"The APRC is not an irrelevant championship. Valimaki and Kalliolepo's achievement has no parallel in the annals of Indian motor sports. Wearing my FIA hat, I can say though that India has a long way to go to organise a rally. We messed up the candidates event in Bangalore and Pune. The Government pledges to support events, but when the time comes, it's not there. For the 2006 season the thrust will be to reduce the costs. We will have seven races in 2006 and six in 2007,'' said Mr. Hossein.

`Always to win'

Valimaki and Kalliolepo — driving a Mitsubishi — beat Japan's Toshi Arai of Japan for the championship title. They were successful at Australia, New Caledonia, Indonesia and Thailand rounds and were ranked second at Japan and New Zealand. "They drove with calculated determination. MRF's motto is always to win,'' said K.M. Mammen, chairman and managing director, MRF.

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