Karamjit returns to rallying in APRC 2011
National rally hero Karamjit Singh will be making a return to his beloved sport this coming weekend, with the International Rally of Queensland marking his comeback into the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) season for 2011.
Backed by private funding, Karamjit will race a CUSCO-backed Proton Satria Neo 2WD alongside co-driver Vivek Ponnusamy, who partnered him when he finished third in the 1999 National Rally Championship in India, Cochin. Vivek is looking forward to be the first Indian national to co-drive in the APRC, and for a Production World Rally Car Champion at that.
Karamjit’s return ends a six-year hiatus from the sport, and the Flying Sikh is looking forward to carry on where he left off, saying, “I’m very happy to be able to rally at one of the APRC rounds this year. My aim is to be challenging for wins right from my first race.”
Prior to his exile, Karamjit had already built a burgeoning trophy cabinet, having been winner of the Production World Rally Championship, three Asia Pacific titles, 10 Malaysian Rally Championships and the Thai championship, among other titles.
Despite missing the season opener at home in Malaysia, Karamjit will compete in the remaining rounds with his sights set firmly on glory. In fact, Karamjit is confident that a good show will allow him to ‘attract strategic partnerships with government agencies as well as private companies’. With the right support, Karamjit is even looking at the possibility of a return to the APRC Group N 4WD in which he is a seasoned competitor.
APRC 2011 CALENDAR
1 – 3 April: Malaysian Rally
13 – 15 May: Rally Queensland, Australia
17 – 19 June: Rallye de Nouvelle Caledonie
15 – 17 July: Rally of Whangarei, New Zealand
30 Sept – 2 Oct: Rally Hokkaido, Japan
4 – 6 November: China Rally
