Rally of Turkey: Gill stages a brilliant fightback

After a mechanical failure let him down with two stages to go the other day, India’s most celebrated rally driver Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn Macneall) fought back to climb up to the sixth slot after the 12th Stage in the Rally of Turkey here on Saturday.

Contesting as a registered driver for JK Racing in the WRC 2 category of the World Rally Championship, Gill took advantage of the scratch time and the seven minutes penalty for the three stages that he could not complete to master the rocky terrains like a typical champion. He timed 3:51:39.2s for the 12 stages travelled thus far and looks good to finish on the podium in his category.

Gaurav Gill took 27:33.5s to complete the 33-km long stage.   -  special arrangement

With abrasive roads and high temperatures that saw uncomfortable cockpit conditions, it was one big test for both the drivers and the co-drivers. Gill has seen it all and he smartly handled the situation despite driving a totally new car. He did not get enough time to test it but quickly fit himself well to battle with the best in a rally that is rated among the toughest in the world.

Starting the day in the 10th position, the three-time APRC champion was a bit slow in the eighth stage. He took 27:33.5s to complete the 33-km long stage. But he soon gathered pace and from there it was no turning back. He posted the third fastest time in the ninth and repeated the same in the next two stages. He continued to work hard in the 12th and further hopes to carry the form into the final day.