Rallye New Caledonia is an event where anything can happen – and always does!

Weather and road conditions played their part today, with several drivers running into problems on incredibly slippery roads. MRF Skoda driver Jan Kopecky leads the Rally Of New Caledonia after Day 1.

“We have a lead of two or three minutes, it should be enough but in the rally anything can happen”.

Team-mate Gaurav Gill is second but is lucky to be still in the event after hitting a tree on stage seven while leading. “Just so disappointed. We were comfortably in the lead, not pushing. I guess bad luck. Bad judgement”.

New Zealander Mike Young leads APRC 2WD after Tom Wilde retired with alternator problems, while Sanjay Takale is 12 seconds in front of Young and leads Production Cup.

New Caledonia first-timers Mark Pedder and Tom Wilde will both restart the event tomorrow, after retirements today on stages 2 and 7 respectively.

Rallye New Caledonia 2014 – Leg 1 Results (Provisional).
1. Jan Kopecky (CZE), Skoda Fabia S2000, 01:15:48.1
2. Gaurav Gill (IND), Skoda Fabia S2000, 1:21:10.7
3. Sanjay Takale (IND), Subaru Impreza, 1:31:21.3
4. Michael Young, Proton Satria Neo, 01:31:32.2

Story and photos by Brian Young – www.apsm.tv