Karamjit returns to the throne
The 2011 season of the Malaysian Rally Championship has just concluded with the final round completing two days of action at Jempol, Negri Sembilan, over the weekend. Taking centre stage was none other than national rally ace Karamjit Singh, who won the rally and the overall title along with it in his first season out of retirement.
Aided by co-driver Vivek Ponnusamy, Karamjit was dominant over both days of the rally in his Pennzoil GSR Mitsubishi Evo. They completed the 63.5km opening stretch of the rally in a time of 52 minutes 22.5 seconds, a full five minutes ahead of defending champion Rafiq Udhaya’s Subaru Impreza.
As action resumed today, the chasing pack once again found Karamjit in fiery form in the remaing 46km, clocking a total time of 1 hour 36 minutes 13.2 seconds to seal his 12th Malaysian Rally Champion title. Second-placed Rafiq and co-driver Sean Gregory finished in 1 hour 42 minutes 25.5 seconds. Third place went to Mike and Manuthi Arokiasamy who clocked 1 hour 46 minutes 9.5 seconds in their Proton Satria.
“It has been a long hard season. I am happy that I have picked up title No 12 but it would not have been possible without the help of my teamates support,” said Karamjit.
“It was a team effort and I am looking forward to title No 13 next year. I believe I still have a few more years left of rallying in me,” he added.
Down but not out, Rafiq acknowledged Karamjit as the better driver, but aims to return and make a fight of it next year, “I lost to a better driver. Simple as that. Karamjit is an extraordinary rally driver and to lose to him is no shame at all. Hopefully next year we will try to win the crown again.”
This year’s Malaysian Rally season kicked off in April at Johor Bahru, with subsequent rounds at Kangar and Malacca before the concluding round at Jempol this weekend. It was announced by Wheel Sport Management, organizers of the Malaysian Rally Championship, that the 2012 season will have five rounds instead.
Picture: Official Malaysian Rally Championship release.
