KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) — Co-driver Jagdev Singh, would be the sole Malaysian representative to compete in Round Six of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) at Bandar Tenggara, Johor Baharu from Oct 10-12.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX team co-driver and his partner Guarav Gill from MRF Tyres Rally Team who finished top in the previous Round held in Indonesia, feels he has a good chance of making another podium finish in Johor Baharu.

“We definitely have an advantage over the other drivers as I know the Malaysian stages well and can guide my driver,” Jagdev told reporters here today.

“I have been competing in the Malaysian Rally Championship for 22 years, so navigating the plantation track is second nature to me. With Guarav’s skill and all going well with the car, a spot on the podium is very likely.”

Jagdev’s driver, Gill from India, did not battle in the first to third round of the rally in New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand.

The Malaysian round of the APRC also doubles up as the local Malaysian Rally Championship (MRC) which means local rally drivers and co-drivers will compete side by side with international drivers in the rally that would be held simultaneously.

Lamenting the lack of Malaysian drivers in the APRC stages, event organiser Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar Tengku Suleiman said though Malaysia had talented drivers, they fail to come forward and compete in the APRC challenge or other international events.

“I see a lot of young people who really have amazing driving techniques, but most of them lack the funding or the right machines to compete in such events,” he said.

Meanwhile, 40 cars had confirmed their participation for the MRC championship.