Pune driver finishes second in Thai car rally

As a result,the vehicle arrived at the venue only on the day of the race,which meant that the team did not have sufficient time to test it before setting out and had to drive at a considerably diminished speed during the first few stages of the rally. The first stage of the 360-kilometre rally consisted of 8 kilometres,and the Indians did not do as well as they should have,lagging 8 minutes behind the race-leader.

They found the soft suspension of the Yaris rather difficult to drive,and lost out on speed in the next three stages as well. After getting the suspension corrected on completing the fourth stage,the duo mounted a brilliant comeback and made good time in the remaining stages of the race. By the time the ninth stage ended,they were only 7 seconds behind the race-leader,Thailand National Champion Sawas Silabure.

However,they were left to wonder what might have been as the last stage of the rally got cancelled due to heavy rainfall,and the organisers announced that the roads were unsafe for the racers to continue further.

Takale and Sheriff were thus forced to settle for the second spot due to the race’s premature finish.