2012 APRC season

[Mirek]

So guys, are there some news?

We can start with the switch of MRF from Mitsubishi to Škoda. Gaurav Gill confirmed, Katsu Taguchi stays with Mitsubishi, so who is second driver?

[Rally Hokkaido]

Well, Mirek we can speculate that it will be a European driver - someone to counter PG and Alistair iin the yellow cars? The list of registered drivers will be published on 29 February.
Also, Jean-Louis Leyraud will switch from Subaru to Citroen DS3 R3T.
I believe MRU Motor Sports will run three or four cars for team owner Muhammad Rafiq, Brian Green, Daniel Palau & Sanjay Takle - that's four different nationalities in the same team. I wonder what they will eat for lunch in the service park?

So guys, are there some news?

We can start with the switch of MRF from Mitsubishi to Škoda. Gaurav Gill confirmed, Katsu Taguchi stays with Mitsubishi, so who is second driver?

[Humber]

Emma Gilmour on her website suggests she will be driving a special car but that is likely the Kangas/ Bourne/ Eriksson WRC Impreza at the Leadfoot Festival the weekend before Rally Whangarei.

Is there a slight possibility of MRF using Rifat Sungkar as the second driver ?

[Mitch555]

Could it be Hayden Paddon? It'd keep Gaurav happy as it'd be someone who knew the car and could get Gaurav to adapt quicker to it perhaps? If not, it honestly could be anyone :S

It really depends if they want to win the title, or have Gaurav as their number 1 chance. You could sub in someone who already has S2000 experience such as Chris Atkinson, Neal Bates or Simon Evans (Mazda drive isn't quite factory).

Rifat I'd imagine would stay with Cusco if he still has a place?

What will Katsu Taguchi run in? Will he run in his own team (maybe Yokohama Advan will come on board?) or will take over from Rifat to go with Sumiyama.

[Rally Hokkaido]

Provisional APRC registration list is on the official website, though closing date is 7 March (sort of). There is no second driver nominated for MRF Team, yet. Also, Cusco have not made any registrations in the four-wheel drive class, so there's a good chance that Rifat will be MRF's second driver.

[Humber]

Atko for MRF.

APRC.TV - Asia Pacific Rally Championship Television Production News (http://www.aprc.tv/newsPage.php?546)

[Mirek]

Atkinson versus PG could be a good fight :)

[Humber]

First round of APRC, nzrc commences this week.

Rally Whangarei - International Rally of Whangarei 30 March - 01 April 2012 (http://www.rallywhangarei.co.nz/) stage times on www.chrissport.co.nz (http://www.chrissport.co.nz)

[Humber]

PG had a front tyre problem. Atko and the NZ usual suspects - West, Gilmour and Mason up the front. Weather - few showers for today, tomorrow looks like rain.

[Humber]

Day 2 - Atko hits bridge.

[6789]

Day 2 - Atko hits bridge.
Is he out?

Just checked the timing and he made it through SS15 :)

[Rally Hokkaido]

Is he out?

Just checked the timing and he made it through SS15 :)

Chris has won by 28 secs from P-G!
Great debut for the MRF Tyres Skoda, looks like Guarav will finish third, too.

[6789]

Chris has won by 28 secs from P-G!
Great debut for the MRF Tyres Skoda, looks like Guarav will finish third, too.
Congrats to Atko! Hope he can go onto the championship this year!

[Plan9]

Glad PG could keep it on the road. Looking forward to more scraps with Atko if he can get the money together

[Mirek]

It's very interesting also because they use rather unusual tyres - MRF and DMack (Proton). By the way great drive by Chris West!

[Plan9]

I also found that interesting. Jari Ketomaa complained about the DMACK tyres and on a different spec car PG can nearly with with them. It will be an interesting battle for the season.

[6789]

Glad PG could keep it on the road. Looking forward to more scraps with Atko if he can get the money together
Atko is doing the whole season with MRF isn't he?

[Mirek]

I also found that interesting. Jari Ketomaa complained about the DMACK tyres and on a different spec car PG can nearly with with them. It will be an interesting battle for the season.

There was no S2000 car on Michelin to compare with.

[Plan9]

NOw Ako has a Motorsport italia drive, will he ba able to do the remnant of the APRC season. I am sure the dates will clash...

[GigiGalliNo1]

I just watched Rally China! Sharan event!!! Now, to watch from the first rally in 2012! I like this championship!

[vino_93]

Will MRF continue with Fabia next year ?