Gill becomes Asia's top-ranked rally driver

NEW DELHI: Gaurav Gill underlined his credentials as one of the top rally drivers from India by becoming the highest-ranked Asian in the international ranking.
The Delhi-based driver with 896 points in the International Rally Drivers Association (IRDA) ranking is the top driver from Asia ahead of China's Fan Fan (740 points) in second place and Udhaya Muhammad Rafiq of Malaysia (672).
"This is a big motivation for me. My family and sponsors' support has been very important for all the success I have achieved so far. But this is a very small step and my ultimate aim is to do well on the World Rally circuit," Gill told TOI on Thursday.
Three podium finishes in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) with Team MRF have been his high points this year. The 29-year-old won the Rally of Caledonia and finished second in Australian and Malaysian rounds of the APRC this year. "India is not traditionally big on motorsports. It is a continuous process of learning and unlearning things when I am rallying in and out of India. The cars on the APRC circuit are technologically much more advanced, unlike those on the Indian rally circuit," he added.
Gill had ascended to 28 in the world ranking around this time last year with about 1,413 points but rues missing out on competing on the World Rally circuit more often. "The only time I am collecting World Rally ranking points is when I am racing in the APRC. The only way to compete in more international events is to get more sponsors.
"I have performed very well in APRC this season considering the fact that Protons have a much more advanced car. In spite of that I have managed to stay in touch with them. I have even performed better than couple of champion British drivers," Gill said referring to Alistair McRae and Mark Higgin from Great Britain.
The arrival of the Formula One juggernaut has also generated a lot of interest around motorsports. The inaugural Airtel Grand Prix of India will be flagged off on October 30. "F1 coming to India is great news for Indian motorsports. Even rallying will now be considered a sport and a profession rather than just a hobby."
Finally, on his aspirations for the World Rally circuit, he said, "Realistically for me to take the next big step, I need some association with manufactures. I hope that it will happen sooner rather than later."