The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : Crocker in lead; tight finish likely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 08, 2007
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Sport - Racing : Motor

Crocker in lead; tight finish likely

S. Sudarsan

OBIHIRO: “Go Katsu Go” roared the fans of Katsu Taguchi of Team MRF Tyres from the spectators’ stand in Special Stage 5 to pep up their hero on the opening day of Rally Hokkaido, the fourth leg of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, here on Saturday.

And, Taguchi (co-driver Mark Stacey), driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX with a new engine, did not disappoint. He finished first in that stage with MRF teammate Jussi Valimaki (Jarkko Kalliolepo) following.

It has been hot for the last two days, after rains had spoilt the terrain, and the loose soil has made life difficult for the drivers. However, the overall lead was taken by Cody Crocker of Motor Image Rally Team. Crocker (Ben Atkinson) leads Taguchi by 31.4 seconds, followed by Valimaki and Naren Kumar of Team Rally India. Crocker’s Japanese sponsors would be pleased with the proceedings and if he goes on to win the event on Sunday, he would be the first foreigner to do so.

Crocker, who took advantage of the narrow and not-so-steep course suiting Subaru cars, maintained the lead from stage 2. “The first day was pretty good. Course is bad, but no trouble,” said Crocker. Taguchi said the Japanese and Indonesian legs would be important and could decide the champion. At a pre-event media conference, Taguchi said: “Japan and Malaysia differ from the rallies of first half, so I believe the way we fight in these rallies will be very important.”

The final day promises a tight finish. Taguchi would be hoping to keep the Japanese flag flying and not allow Crocker to break the tradition.

The provisional standings: 1. Cody Crocker (Motor Image Rally Team) 1:17.28s; 2. Katsu Taguchi (Team MRF Tyres), 1:18.00s; 3. Jussi Valimaki (Team MRF Tyres) 1:18.57; 4. V. Naren Kumar (Mitsubishi Lancer), 1:20.12.