Pennzoil GSR Racing team yet again soared to the finish line in the fourth leg of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) in Whangarei New Zealand on 15th to 17th July, retaining their A6 class title win. The team has effectively dominated the A6 class category for vehicles under the 1.6 cc group since the start of the APRC in Malaysia last April as well as in Australia in May and New Caledonia in June.
“It’s been a magnificent effort by the drivers and the crew to keep such victories at all 4 rounds of the APRC thus far. It clearly goes to show that we have an international level rally team and our Pennzoil products deliver good results” said a very proud Encik Ruslan Abdul Ghani General Manager of UMW Pennzoil Distributors Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Sanjay Takle and Musa Sherif via their debut entry at the APRC for Pennzoil GSR Racing Team also made headlines and history in their home country, being a full Indian team to win at the APRC circuit when they emerged as class winners and 21st overall and also 3rd in the 2 Wheel Drive class category.
Sanjay Takle commented “Firstly we would like thank Pennzoil GSR Racing Team for giving us this amazing opportunity to take part at the APRC and Gunaseelan for all his guidance and support throughout the Championship. We had a good run and the Proton Satria car performed fantastically throughout the 16 stages despite the cold and wet conditions. I’m really happy to win the A6 class title on my debut entry at the APRC for Pennzoil Air Asia team”. Team owner Gunaseelan Rajoo also commended Sanjay and Musa for their victory in their maiden race and was very thrilled with the team’s performance given the tough weather conditions and competition from other international drivers.
Gunaseelan Rajoo said “We have had a sensational run under the A6 class category and we hope to continue the good run in Japan and China to emerge as the overall Champion under the A6 class at the APRC this year”. Gunaseelan Rajoo with co-driver Jagdev Singh at the International Rally of Whangarei were behind a Ford Fiesta under Class N this time round and were running in 2nd position after Day 1 of the Rally, however luck was not on their side on Day 2 when their Ford Fiesta encountered problem with 1 of the wheel coming off in Stage 15 which forced them to retire.
Gunaseelan Rajoo said “It’s disappointing we couldn’t finish the race, when we were so close but anyway our spirits are not dampened. Despite all that happened, we definitely had a good experience in our first appearance in New Zealand.” Gunaseelan Rajoo is now leading 3rd under the 2 Wheel Drive Class category and with 2 more races in Japan and China. He expressed our main aim is to win the A6 class this year and prepare the team for a bigger attack at the APRC next year. Yet another milestone for the team in New Zealand was the winnings of local talent Michael Young in the junior category at the International Rally of Whangarei. Michael Young also a member of the Pennzoil GSR Racing team is participating in the junior category at the Malaysian Rally Championship, where he is currently leading 1st in place. “Michael is seriously advancing his rally career and we are also proud of his win” said Gunaseelan Rajoo team owner.
