India’s Takale virtually seals Production Cup title in APRC

However,the Pune driver earned 18 points for the runners up spot since Coppin was participating in a one-off race and would be back driving in WRC3.

With 11 bonus points swelling his overall points tally to 75,Takale trails leader Lappi by three points. Gill had to settle with just 6 bonus points from his first day heroics and is now at No 3 with 71.5 points.

However,the performance was enough for Takale to virtually seal the Production Cup N4 class title.

In the N4 class,Takale finished way ahead of his competitor Hiroshi Asakura. After three rounds his tally in Production Cup N4 Class stood at 112.5 points against 37 of the Japanese challenger. The difference between the two is 75.5 points and Takale just needs to widen that gap beyond 78 after the end of the fourth leg-the Rally of Malaysia on August 23-25 to claim the crown.

“I was lacking some confidence at the start after our crash at shakedown but we got our confidence back as the event progressed,” said Takale,who was ably assisted by navigator Sean Gregory.

“I hurt my right hand and my lower back caught up and was paining all through the rally. The car was badly damaged,but the MRU Motorsports boys fixed the car and we were able to take part,” explained Takale.

Results: 1. Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferme (MRF,Skoda Fabia S2000) 2hrs,8mins,43.8secs; 2. Simon Knowles and Margot Knowles (Mitsubishi Evo X) 02:28:58.4; 3. Sanjay Takale and Sean Gregory (Subaru Impreza WRX) 02:33:58.1; 4. Hiroshi Asakura and Osamu Yoda (Proton Satria Neo) 03:11.49. Championship standings after Round 3 Drivers: 1. Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm 78 pts; 2. Sanjay Takale and Sean Gregory 75; 3. Gaurav Gill and Glenn MacNeall 71.5; 4. Michael Young and Daniel Willson 28; 5. Hiroshi Asakura and Osamu Yoda 28. Manufacturers: 1. Škoda 113.5; 2. Subaru 76; 3. Mitsubishi 71.5; 4. Proton 18; 5. Toyota 14.