MRF and Skoda have partnered to enter a two-car team in the six-round 2013 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).
The two drivers are India’s Gaurav Gill who almost won the championship last year for MRF, and Finnish rally champion Esapekka Lappi, both of whom will be driving the Fabia Super 2000 car.
Team MRF is a four-time winner of the APRC Team Championship, having taken the title in 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2012, in addition to the 2012 drivers’ title with Chris Atkinson of Australia. The two Skoda Fabias will be run by Australia’s Racetorque team.
Previously, Skoda has won titles in the Super 2000 World Championship, the European Championship and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. They have more than a century of experience in motorsport and their APRC entry is expected to help drive their growth in international markets. MRF has competed at the highest levels of Asia Pacific rallying for a decade now.
Speaking on the occasion, Steven Kennedy, President, APRC, said that Skoda’s official entry into the 2013 APRC was excellent news, with the inclusion of Esapekka Lappi adding an international element to the championship.
The 2013 APRC commences on May 18/19 with the the International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand. Further events will be held in New Caledonia, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, China and Thailand.
