GILL TO DRIVE IN WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2

NEWDELHI: INDIAN rally ace Gaurav Gill has lost track of the number of national titles he has won, and understandably so. Gill has captured three Asia Pacific Rally titles as well, the only competition where the field kept him on his toes.

The 36-year-old, who is miles ahead of his competitors in Asia, has always craved to rub shoulders with the best in the world and prove his worth. Gill will finally get a chance to showcase his talent on the big stage, at the World Championship.

Team MRF announced they will compete in the World Rally Championship 2 (WRC 2) -the second rung global competition -- and Gill, who drove them to three APRC titles, will spearhead their challenge in what would be a big step up for the driver as well as the Indian tyre manufacturer.

Gill and Team MRF will take the WRC 2 plunge in Italy, at the Rally Italia Sardegna, to be held from June 7-10. They are joining in the seventh round of the championship as the plan is to play it a bit conservative this time, making sure they don’t stretch their resources too much -- both financially and tyre technology wise.

They have decided to compete in just gravel rallies this year. Gill would have a truncated season -there are only five gravel rallies in the championship after Italy -but the Indian will gladly take it. After all, this is the break he was waiting for and is confident to make the best out of it.