Picture caption: Pontus
Tidemand (right) and co-driver Emil Axelsson of Team MRF celebrate their
victory in the Malaysian Rally, the fourth round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally
Championship, in Johor Bahru
Leading by 01:19.9 overnight,
Tidemand kept the throttle down on Sunday when six more Stages were run over
much shorter distance than on the previous day as the Swede was quickest in
five loops while Gill, driving in heavy rains, took the last Stage of the day.
“I had a good day today and
absolutely no problems with the car. I was new to these conditions and it was
very challenging. But I am happy that I survived and brought the car home
safely. We have two more rounds in Japan and China, and I looking forward to it.
Like I said, all this is new to me, but I want to do well,” said Tidemand.
An obviously disappointed
Gill, winner here last year, had problems with the rear differential of his
Skoda Fabia S2000 besides overheating and loss of grip.
“The rear differential stopped
working during the first loop and there was no grip. So, I couldn’t drive
normally. Then we had heavy rains during the second loop, but we were quicker
in the last Stage.
“Overall, it was the worst
weekend of my life with all the problems we had due to grass getting into the
radiator grill and all that. I now look forward to the remaining two rounds,”
said Gill who did not participate in the conventional champagne ceremony as a
mark of respect for Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India president Bharath
Raj who passed away in Bengaluru on August
15, 2015.