This story from Maxrally.com / Graham Lister www.maxrally.com

Gaurav Gill won’t just have to take on his super-fast team-mate Esapekka Lappi in his bid to win in New Caledonia for a second year running – he’s also preparing for rain when the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship resumes in the South Pacific this week.

Gill and co-driver Glenn Macneall form part of the two-car MRF Skoda team and will start the 17-stage event playing catch-up in the title chase after losing out on victory on the season-opening International Rally of Whangarei to Lappi and co-driver Janne Ferm. “We won the rally in 2012 and I am looking to repeat that feat,” said Indian driver Gill. “I gained valuable experience in New Zealand. However, all but one of the stages in New Caledonia are new this year.”  

June is traditionally when it gets ‘cold’ in New Caledonia with temperatures dropping to a far from tropical 17 degrees centigrade, which has prompted the rally organisers to recommend the wearing of a cardigan for anyone venturing outside at night. The weather can also be changeable due to maritime influences.

“New Caledonia is a very unique rally, as the conditions can change at any time,” said Gill. “For example, it can start to rain while the sun is still shining. If this happens, it can become incredibly slippery.”

Rallye de Nouvelle Caledonie, to give it its official title, gets underway on Friday with the first of 17 stages underway at 0648 local time on Saturday. The total competitive distance is 236.59 kilometres. Check out the latest God Watch coming soon on MAXRALLY.