Gaurav shows his X-factor

“I really pushed myself to the limit,” Gill told Sportline. “After the problems I suffered with the brakes the previous day,I took it as a challenge. I drove very fast and my timings for some stages were as good as those of the leaders. The results may not suggest it,but overall for me,it was a very satisfying outing. I think I need to give myself a pat on the back,” he chuckled.

The MRF driver went to Japan hoping to turn the disappointing season around which saw,among others,his Production-World Rally Championship campaign ending midway following “contractual problems” with Team Sidvin. While the turnaround didn’t happen,his car did overturn.

“There was a problem with the brakes and I had to press the pedal two-three times to build the pressure. Then at one turn I tried to slow down but it didn’t work. I was driving at about 150km/hr,and at that speed it was difficult to manoeuvre the car. It turned over. I was very lucky it didn’t do any damage to the car.”

While the crash could’ve left a lesser driver shaken,Gill was behind the wheels in less than 24 hours. In fact,as if he hasn’t got enough thrills as yet,he now plans to represent India at the X-Games — a premier annual extreme sports event — in Los Angeles to be held from July 30 to August 2.

X-Games Rally Car Racing,in which Gill is hoping to participate,is a modified,condensed version of the sport,built to fit into the compact venue. It,however,is just as tough on cars as a regular rally event.

“There is no official Indian entry in the X-Games,but I would like to go there and carry the Indian flag. It’ll be an honour.” But as has been the case with Gill so often,here as well his road to LA has its fair share of bumps.

Sponsorship problems
“The problem is I don’t have sufficient money. My car is ready,which means the bigger chunk of the cost is taken care of,but there are many other expenses. I hope I’ll get some sponsors soon,” said Gill,one of the Indian sportspersons who have borne the brunt of recession.

Gill participated in the initial legs of P-WRC and even went on to secure points in Portugal. However,his deal with Team Sidvin fell through,after what he hints was a fallout of the global economic slowdown.

However,the 27-year-old from Delhi feels that the worst might be over.

“After the X-Games,I’ll go back to APRC. We have the Malaysian and Indonesian legs coming up. I did well in the former and won the latter last year. I just need a little help from Lady Luck,” he said.