Now, I told myself I would be an avid blogger during this trip - but have just not been able to find the time! Pics are Rifat on SS1, Eli taking out the tape on SS4 and Sumiyama with a flat on SS6 - My favourites out of some 300 odd photos that I took today (small amount compared to Alan).
Here is my official release from the day's action:
NZ RALLY CHAMPION’S HOPES DASHED; TAPPER IN FIGHT WITH AUSSIE ELI EVANS
Hayden Paddon’s Pirelli Star Driver title hopes may be over after a collision with a palm tree on Stage Three of the Ancom Malaysian Rally this morning. He looks to rejoin tomorrow with the Team Green crew working frantically on the car to make it possible.
Interestingly though, this has meant a two horse race between Australian Eli Evans and New Zealander Mark Tapper. Evans was strong out of the gate putting in top times on the first two stages, MRF driver Gaurav Gill took the third stage win and Tapper came out on top over the last stages of the day as Evans and Gill struck problems.
Gill retired at the end of Stage Four with a damaged engine, while Evans’ problems were minor in comparison. His Subaru limped back into service on just the rim of it’s left rear wheel – but had no major problems.
“We got a flat tyre… Pulled up to change it, and we had nothing to change it with! Bit embarrassing, we’ve got a rattle gun with no socket.”
Mark Tapper’s measured approach meant that he failed to take points on the first two stages but made up for it in the afternoon with mud tyres, as the others struggled.
“We had the perfect tyre for the conditions, they were something I’ve had stored away for the last four years waiting for the right time to use them and it came for me today.”
And, as predicted, the rains have come. Day one of the rally saw torrential tropical rain, making for interesting conditions for all of the Pirelli Star Driver entrants.
Conditions all over saw contestants fall short over the rally, the first being kiwi Brad Ayling with a crash not far into Stage One.
Stage Three was the longest and trickiest stage of the day, claiming Hayden Paddon and local Malaysian James Russell.
Russell hit a big rock pulled from the inside of the corner by the other cars, puncturing both tyres.
“We came flat-out over a brow and couldn’t avoid it. Tomorrow, we’ll try again. There’s nothing to lose now – so it’s flat out from the word go!”
Kirsty Nelson and Rizal Sungkar felt the full brunt of the conditions physically; Nelson being ill in the car during Stage Six and Sungkar passing out in the service park during Service D.
Indian Arjun Rao Aroor had some technical problems in the last few stages with the car running at high RPM – But made it back to the final service in one piece.
Rounding out the ten drivers is Patrick Malley who went into the day with the aim to keep the car on the road and stand back from the carnage - but became a part of it when he hit a bump on Stage Four and had the steering wheel break off in his hand.
As many say though, it is a game of two halves and potentially, anything could happen tomorrow on the remaining six stages of the rally.
ENDS… Sarah Byles
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