On the back of his recent visit to Rallyschool in Perth, Indian rally driver Sanjay Takale, is ready to take on his competitors at the third round of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) this weekend at the International Rally of Queensland.

 

Takale, who last year won the APRC Production Cup title, wants to score as many points as possible and bring the car home to restore his championship chances, and after spending three days with fellow competitors and rally-experts in Perth, says he feels more confident.

 

“I learnt a lot about pace-notes thanks to Glenn [Macneall] who made it very clear, and Alistair, and also the line selection where I should be on the road, and I think those things will really help me this weekend,” explained Takale.

 

“And I think this [Rallyschool WA] is the best place to learn the art of rally in the Asia Pacific.”

 

Takale and co-driver Sean Gregory of Malaysia have made a number of improvements both inside and outside the car after expert mentoring by Bill Hayes, Glenn Macneall, Alistair McRae, Michael Young and Tom Wilde, including big changes to their pace-notes.

 

Pace-notes are a set of detailed instructions describing the road and road-conditions in a specific language unique to each driver.

 

Takale currently sits third in the Production Cup standings, 14 points adrift of Mark Pedder, and seventh in the overall drivers’ championship.

His Cusco Racing Subaru Impreza also underwent a revamp after engine troubles put Takale out in in New Caledonia but he is confident that the team have addressed all the issues and he has a good car this weekend.

 

Takale adds: “The Cusco team are the best. They are very good at what they do and the car feels really good at the moment. I am really looking forward to the rally here now.”

 

The International Rally of Queensland starts with a free street party on Friday night at Caloundra’s Kings Beach Park, before crews tackle 236.97 kilometres over 16 closed special stages. The rally is based out of Caloundra with the service park in the small rural town of Imbil.