ŠkodaPortal.cz Simply clever

Johor Bahru, Malaysia, 25. August 2013 –ŠKODA has extended its lead in the championship for manufacturers in the fourth leg of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC). Gaurav Gill/Glenn Macneall (India/New Zealand) won all seven special stages of the Rally Malaysia in their ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 on Sunday. Gill took over the lead in the championship for drivers leading his team mates Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm. The Fins had to give up on Saturday after a technical problem had forced the team to resign from the rally for security reasons.

The extreme nature of the rally on the muddy tracks of the banana and palm plantations at the southern end of Malaysia was proven by the fact that only one APRC team finished all special stages. The two ŠKODA pilots had devided the previous legs for the APRC title amongst themselves. Lappi won the opening leg in New Zealand, Gill the next rally in New Caledonia, it was Lappi again in Queensland in Australia.

Gill was only halfway satisfied with his lead in the overall score of the APRC. "We were in the lead on Saturday until I gave away the victory at Rally Malaysia with a mistake. I paid dearly for that, but at least I could win points for ŠKODA. Now we have to work together to secure the title." Team manager Pavel Hortek said: "We knew it would be extremely difficult and that turned out to be true. Luckily the developments in the Rally allowed us to even extend our lead."

Lappi has the chance to attack again next weekend already: The 22 year old talent will give his season debut in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) at the home event of ŠKODA at the Barum Czech Rally in Zlin. „I am looking forward enormously to start at the home of ŠKODA", said Lappi before he went on the long trip back to Europe.

The next APRC Rally will be held on September 28 and 29 in Japan.

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