The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Crocker claims APRC crown

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Monday, Nov 27, 2006
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Sport - Racing : Motor

Crocker claims APRC crown

N. Ganesh

Longyou (China): Australia has become a synonym for champion. And it was the turn of its National rally champion Cody Crocker to make the nation proud yet again as he won the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) on his debut here on Sunday.

Crocker (co-driver Ben Atkinson), who just needed to start here to win the title, however, is not the one to rest on his laurels. In this picturesque, mountainous village in south-east China, the Australian went all out and grabbed the crucial lead, and looks almost certain to win the final round too.

After his victory in the first leg, which comprised 11 stages, Crocker, of Les Walkden, has increased his points tally to 81.

It was not a great start for Team MRF as Katsuhiko Taguchi's car smashed against a rock early on in the first stage and ruined the Japanese driver's chances here. Taguchi, with 44 points, still has a chance to win the overall second spot when he drives again on Monday.

Miettinen in third spot

However, Team MRF's second driver, Jarkko Miettinen of Finland, did well to finish third and added a point to take his overall score to 31. Cusco Racing's Hiroshi Yanagisawa of Indonesia was placed second.

The APRC has made its maiden stop at Longyou, though China has been regularly hosting the rally.

The weather has been pleasant and the people of in this agricultural area had a great chance to witness some high-voltage action despite the conditions being tough for the drivers.

Overnight rains had left nine stages slushy, and of the 39 cars which started, a few had to pull out.

The results (after first leg): 1. Cody Crocker (Les Walkden, Subaru Impreza), 1:50:52.3s; 2. Hiroshi Yanagisawa (Cusco Racing, Subaru Impreza), 1:53:09.2s; 3. Jarkko Miettinen (MRF Tyres, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), 1:54:08.6s; 4. Eli Evans (Les Walkden, Subaru Impreza) 1:54:34.3s and 5. Rifat Sungkar (Indonesia Rally Team, Mitsubishi EVO IX) 1:59:22.2s.

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