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A ‘perfect day’ for Cody Crocker

R. Venkatnarayan

Whangarei (New Zealand): It was a “perfect day” for Cody Crocker of Motor Image Rally team, who has taken an almost unbeatable lead at the end of day one, in the Asia Pacific Rally championship here on Saturday.

The lead of more than a minute will be quite tough to make up for Team MRF’s Katsuhiko Taguchi, who is behind Crocker. Closely following them is Team MRF’s Scot Peddar.

Crocker, who has revelled in these conditions, could not even be slowed down by a wheel bearing problem that cropped up after the seventh stage.

The slippery roads made life difficult for drivers. Loose and at times thick carpet of gravel had them coming in a bit slower.

“The timings of the Kiwi drivers, driving in the Rally of New Zealand, were certainly faster,” Crocker said.

Adding weight to his argument was the fact that Chris West clocked the fastest time overall.

Crocker added, “I am not bothered about that though and am concentrating on winning the APRC round.”

Taguchi too felt he did miss out on stronger times because of the gravel.

“The gravel sometimes actually slows down the vehicle. And we have to be careful not to spin away. The margin for error is very low,” he said.

However, that did not stop Taguchi from going full speed ahead. “Attack, that’s what I did,” he added.

He did make up some time on the 35km long Bull Stage where almost long stretches had him zipping.

Good tyres

The tyres were good enough for the task, but Taguchi felt that having not run on this leg earlier it was a bit new.

“Crocker there had an advantage,” he said.

However, he felt it would be very tough to catch up with Crocker.

Crocker, on his part, said his aim now would be to gather as many bonus points as possible.

Taguchi too seems to work on the points now. With Japan on his sights, he fancies himself with a good chance.

“It will be very difficult to catch up with Crocker here. But in Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia it can become very competitive,” he said.

The result: Provisional: APRC: 1. Cody Crocker (Motor Image Rally) 1:39:28.9; 2. Katsuhiko Taguchi (Team MRF) 1:42:05.3; Scot Peddar (Team MRF) 1:42:19.9; 4. Dean Herridge (Cusco Racing) 1:42:40.9; 5. Hiroshi Yanagisawa (Cusco Racing) 1:42:45.2.

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