ŠkodaPortal.cz Simply clever

Noumea, New Caledonia, 16. Juni 2013 – ŠKODA leads the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) after two rounds with maximum points. Defending champion Gaurav Gill/Glenn Macneall (India/New Zealand) dominated again on the second day of the rally in the South Pacific and achieved a clear victory on the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000. Their teammates Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (Finland), who had won the first competition in New Zealand a month ago, had already retired on Saturday after an accident.

"That was outstanding, we have gained maximum points in the manufacturer's championship. This has brought us closer to our aim to win this important championship", said team manager Pavel Hortek.  „The car was perfect on both days. The support of the whole ŠKODA's company has further improved our chances", said the highly satisfied winner. Since only one car per manufacturer is counted for the championship ŠKODA has secured 78 points which is the maximum number after two competitions.

After one special stage had to be cancelled already on Saturday because of rain starting to fall the rally had to be further reduced on day two after heavy rain overnight. Only three special stages could be held, the rally had to be reduced to a total of 174.72 kilometres. Gill won all special stages on the two days bar one which Lappi had secured. At the finish he was almost eight minutes in front of the next competitor. Gill is now also leading the driver's championship clearly with 69 points. The next competition will be the International Rally of Queensland in Australia from 12. to 14. July on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane.

For Czech automobile manufacturer ŠKODA, entering the APRC represents an important step in the company's growth offensive in international markets. ŠKODA has set its sights on increasing its global sales to at least 1.5 million units per year by 2018, with particular emphasis on the growth markets in Asia.

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