Temporary rainfalls made the gravel tracks on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido even more demanding for the teams competing in the fourth round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC). On the shortest stage of the whole championship, the 0.96 kilometres of the opening show stage “Sammy Satsunai” close to the service park, O.C. Veiby was fastest followed by teammate and reigning APRC Champion Gaurav Gill.
On the opening stage next morning, Gill scored the fastest time and everybody expected the thrilling season-long battle between Gill and Veiby to be continued in Japan. But on the 29 kilometres of the third stage, all went wrong for the Norwegian youngster. After a big jump a shock absorber broke followed by a slow puncture. Veiby slightly went off the road, unfortunately got stuck in a ditch and had to retire. From there on Gaurav Gill was clearly in command, scored all the fastest time of the day and built up a comfortable lead. “It has been a great day for us and Team MRF ŠKODA. We made a perfect tyre choice and a good car set-up really paid off. The conditions were really rough with huge rocks and stones on the really fast stages sometimes averaging over 125 kilometres an hour”, concluded the Indian ŠKODA driver.
ŠKODA youngster Ole Christian Veiby could re-start on Sunday, won the second leg and scored valuable championship points. “Although this weekend was a setback to our title hopes, we will never give up and will fight up to the finish line of the last APRC round in India”, he promised. Reigning APRC Champion Gaurav Gill has it now in his hands to win his third title after 2013 and 2016 at the Rally of India (24 to 26 November 2017). “Again many thanks to MRF ŠKODA for providing me with such a fast and reliable car. I am now looking forward to my home round in India to win the drivers title again”, said a delighted Gaurav Gill at the finish line in Obihiro.
“The FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship is of major strategic significance to ŠKODA as the rallies are run in extremely important growing markets like India and China. I am happy to congratulate the MRF ŠKODA Team for prematurely securing the FIA APRC Cup for Manufacturers for ŠKODA. Since 2012 every title holder in this championship has driven a ŠKODA. This year again drivers and co-drivers titles will be decided only between the two MRF ŠKODA teams”, said ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek.
Final Result APRC Rally Hokkaido/Japan
4th round of the 2017 FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC)
1. Gill/Prévot (IND/BEL), ŠKODA FABIA R5, 1:53.21.8 h
2. Blomberg/Andersson (SWE/SWE), Mitsubishi Mirage AP4, + 11:41.4 min.
3. Imai/Farmer (JPN/NZL), Subaru Impreza WRX STi, +14:43.6 min.
4. Takahashi/Nakamura, (JPN/JPN), Subaru Impreza WRX STi, +15:04.2 min.
5. Aoki/Ikeda, (JPN/JPN), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, +16:02.8
Number of the day: 0.96
With 0.96 kilometres only Rally Hokkaido’s special stage “Sammy Satsunai” is the shortest stage of the entire 2017 FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.
Calendar of the 2017 FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC)
Event/ Date
Rally of Whangarei – New Zealand 28/04–30/04/2017
Rally Canberra – Australia 26/05–28/05/2017
China Rally (cancelled) 07/07–09/07/2017
Rally of Johor – Malaysia 11/08–13/08/2017
Rally Hokkaido – Japan 15/09–17/09/2017
Rally of India 24/11–26/11/2017
