Gaurav Gill named Team Sidvin's lead driver for WRC
04 Feb, 2009 03:07 pm IST,PTI

NEW DELHI: First Indian to win a Asia-Pacific Rally Championship stage, Gaurav Gill will be behind the wheel as Team Sidvin India's (TSI) lead driver for the team's second season of the World Rally Championship (WRC) commencing in March.

Gaurav, who won the Indonesia leg of APRC in last year, has been roped up by the TSI, first Indian team in the WRC, which is considered to be one of the most gruelling motorsport events in the world.

"I am very happy to be given responsibility of leading the Indian team at the World Rally Championship this year. I am training extensively for the event and hope to win and make the country proud," Gaurav, who will be on the wheel of Tommi Makinen Racing (TMR) prepared Subaru Impreza car, said on Wednesday.

TMR, led by four-time World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen, has partnered TSI since last year and will design a new car for the season and test the vehicle as well, besides sending their engineers during the races.

"We tested Gaurav last year and everyone, including Makinen, was surprised at his speed of adaptation. We have provided him with ample insight on the level of competition in the WRC and are confident that he will bring laurels to the country," Mohan Nagarajan, Chairman and Team Principal of TSI said.

The team, which entered in the Production Class of the WRC last year, will first move to Cyprus where the opening stage of the event will be held, followed by the Portugal leg in April.

http://racing.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Gaurav_Gill_named_Team_Sidvins_lead_driver_for_WRC/articleshow/4075322.cms

'Lead' driver? Does that imply that there will be a 2nd driver...??

Or then cud be IGNORANCE on part of the guy doing the write up . . . Don't think they eudora field a 2nd driver as the 2nd best n the country wud have to be Naren and according to reports the two didn't part on a gud note .

But wudnt it be great to see a 2 car team by TSI n the WRC . . Both cars driven by Indians

Subaru - again?????

Congratulations to Gaurav and TSI! Wishing the very best.

Mohan - How about a launch party cum press conf in Bangalore?

Naren was not d 2nd best....he is d best in country which many of them accept....letz hope Gill does well this season nd hope to c Indian flag flying high rather debating.........

Correction my friend ... Naren definitely WAS the best at one point but lets face it , Naren is no where as quick as Gill now !!

But yeah .. it would be great to see the tri color fly at the WRC level ! First event is the gruelling car breaking rally called ' The Cyprus Rally ' in March .

deja vu, moderators, anyone?

looks like TSI has changed the rally list for 2009, i thought that they were participating starting Feb but it now looks like they will start later..

Ithink they start their campaign on the little island f Cyprus in Mid March .... very rough rally !!

I hope Gill & Naren drive in the same class in a rally and we will all know for sure who is the second best

Both our drivers are equally good...i feel very proud to see our boys and mohan sir doing so well at WRC

That definitely is the only way to end this discussion ... but dunno if it will ever happen !!

But Leela @ who would you put ur money on ???

Finally Gaurav hits WRC. Congratulations Mr. Gill, do well and make us all proud.

Cheers.