MUHAMMAD RAFIQ IS THE 2010 MALAYSIAN RALLY CHAMPION!

12 December 2010 - KANGAR, PERLIS - Muhammad Rafiq is the 2010 Malaysian Rally champion.

Karamjit Singh was simply too fast and too good in the fourth and final round of the 2010 Malaysia Rally in Kangar but still it wasn't good enough to land him the overall title.

Instead it was Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya in a Subaru Impreza who finally got the crown which he deserved even though he and his co-driver Sean Gregory, could only managed third overall in Kangar over two tough rounds amidst treacherous conditions.

The hard work for Muhammad Rafiq had been done much earlier in the opening leg in Johor Baru and then Jempol, Negeri Sembilan and also Kuala Terengganu, which left him in a unbeatable position as the final round got underway on Saturday.

With a very healthy lead going into Kangar, Muhammad Rafiq who is racing under the MRU banner took it easy and finished third on both days for an overall total of 55 points.

Karamjit's effort in Kangar which saw him and co-driver Douglas Pickering in a Mitsubishi Lancer under the GSR Pennzoil banner, swept past the field on both days with no close challenger in sight.

Gunaseelan Rajoo and Jagdev Singh in a Mitsubishi Lancer under the GSR Pennzoil Team tried but they knew Karamjit was unbeatable they ended up second best to Karamjit with a good four minute deficit over the two legs across the muddy terrain in Kangar.

Karamjit and Pickering wrapped up the series on a total of 32 points to finish second overall with Andrew Miller from Hong Kong in a Subaru Impreza came in third overall on 23 points.

"I lost the overall crown because of the mechanical failures I had suffered in Johor Baru and Kuala Terengganu. Otherwise things could have turned out differently.”

"Maybe it's time I get a newer car, a more reliable one and mount a
serious challenge next season. Maybe a newer and more reliable car will help" said Karamjit.

For Muhammad Rafiq, Karamjit is still the man to beat if he harbors hope another crown next season.

"He is such a talented driver and it will get harder for me too next year.
I am sure he has revenge on his mind. But for now I can savour my victory
until next year" said Muhammad Rafiq.

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KARAMJIT DOMINATES LEG 1 IN-SPITE OF MUDDY CONDITIONS IN PERLIS

11 December 2010 - KANGAR, PERLIS - The fire still burns in Karamjit Singh even though the overall 2010 Malaysian Rally crown is now out of hands.

He gave a perfect demonstration of his abilities and his determination to win in his overwhelming victory at the opening day of the fourth and final round of the Malaysian Rally in Kangar.

So dominant was his victory yesterday that the champion elect, Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya and co-driver Douglas Pickering in their Subaru Impreza were left trailing in his wake.

For Karamjit, there is still the second placed overall finish behind Muhammad Rafiq to fight for and it was clear that the former World Rally Champion had a point to prove.

He led off the rally and his expert handling of the muddy terrain was clear to see as he overwhelmed the rest of the field, giving a clear signal that he meant business.

And by the time he completed the sixth and final stage, totaling 79.9 kilometres, in a total time of 1hr 13:08.2secs, no one could come close to him. Muhammad Rafiq finished second overall in 1hr: 16:21.2secs with Gunaseelan Rajoo and co-driver Jagdev Singh in a Mitsubishi Lancer third in 1hr: 16:58.8secs.

"All of us never doubted Karamjit's talent. But today I am driving under a different set of circumstances. And when you enter a race knowing well that whatever happens in the end and you will still be champion, it's a different feeling.”

"I told my co-driver Sean (Gregory) before the start of the race that we need to compete but to finish in the top three would be enough. Also the conditions are not good. Rain over the past couple of days in Kangar has made the track very muddy. And in fact we suffered some minor problems like overheating and suspension problem too," said Muhammad Rafiq.

There is still another six more stages on Sunday before they crown Muhammad Rafiq the champion and until then he is still looking forward to finishing off the season in style and let the rest worry over the minor placings.

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MUHAMMAD RAFIQ IS OUT TO PROVE HE DESERVES THE OVERALL MRC 2010 TITLE IN PERLIS

10 December 2010, KANGAR, PERLIS - Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya is the new overall 2010 Malaysian Rally champion even before he sits behind the steering wheel of his Subaru Impreza.

All he has got to do is to turn up for the fourth and final round of the championship over the weekend at the Tasoh Lake Resort in Kangar, Perlis with his co-driver Sean Gregory and claim the title he so richly deserve.

With a total of 40 points collected over the previous three legs- Johor Baru, Seremban, Kuala Terengganu- Muhammad Rafiq sits pretty on the top with an unassailable lead over the second placed team of Muhamad Siraj Abdullah and Abi Redzuan in a Proton Neo Satria who are on 18 points.

Third overall is Karamjit Singh and co driver Douglas Pickering in a Mitsubishi Lancer on 16 points, a situation even the man they dubbed the Flying Sikh, a former world rally champion, could not overcome this time.

But for Muhammad Rafiq who is driving under the MRU Racing team banner, the final round in Kangar, is yet another competition where he hopes to prove that he deserves the overall title.

"I have put in a lot of hard work over the past 12 months and all my effort has paid off. But I still want to show the rally fraternity that I am in the sport for the long haul. That means I will give my best in Kangar even though I have the overall title in the bag already," said Muhammad Rafiq.

And his participation in Kangar has been given a huge psychological boost with his 7th overall finish in the recent Rally of China in Lohu where 92 cars took part.

But for Karamjit, the 2010 Malaysian Rally has been a season of so many twist and turns with a broken gear shaft and mechanical problems which was to cost him dearly.

At one stage he was in serious contention for the crown with only eight points separating him and the leader, until last month at the third round in Kenyir Lake in Kuala Terengganu where his gear box gave way and his hopes lie shattered.

Which is why Muhamad Siraj and his Proton Satria Neo of the MRU Racing team has leapt into second placed overall but Karamjit is still very much in contention for a consolation second placed finish leaving Muhammad Rafiq to celebrate his success.

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MUHAMMAD RAFIQ UDHAYA IS WELL WITHIN REACH ON THE OVERALL MRC TITLE

KUALA TERENGGANU - Karamjit Singh's hopes lies shattered as Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya consolidate his position at the top of the overall race for the Malaysian Rally title.

On a day when Karamjit thought things were looking up for him on the final day of the Round 3 Malaysian Rally at Lake Kenyir, Terengganu yesterday, his Mitsubishi Lancer gearbox gave way which forced him out of the race.

And probably out of the race for the championship too.

"It's just one of those things which can happen to anyone in rallying. It happened to me today and now I must admit that my chances of finishing champion overall is gone.

"There is only more round left (in Kangar) and I don't think I can make up for it,"said Karamjit.

Karamjit who was lying second overall with a total of 18 points gathered from the previous two rounds coming into Kuala Terengganu, thought he
could make up for the eight point deficit behind the leader Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya in his Subaru Impreza.

More so after he had finished first in the first rallying stage on Saturday but disaster struck early as Karamjit tried to force his way through the mud and slush, made worse by the overnight rain, and ended up with a broken shaft in his gearbox.

India's Lohitt Urs and his Malaysian co-driver Manohar Menon in their Mitsubishi Lancer seize the opportunity to finish first in a total time of 1hr 39min 40.0secs and Muhammad Rafiq and his co-driver Sean Gregory second in 1hr 43mins 22.2secs.

Third is Muhammad Siraj Abdullah and Abi Redzuan in a Proton Satria Neo in a time of 1hr 46mins 43.8secs.

For now Muhammad Rafiq and Gregory is still in command and the overall title is well within their reach as the Malaysian Rally Championship enters it's fourth and final round in Kangar in mid December.

"We are in a comfortable position now and with one more round to go, we just have to keep our cool, finish both races and we should be home. But it's a pity that Karamjit's car broke down today. He is such a good driver but things just did not work out for him," said Gregory.

*

The organizer of the Malaysian Rally Championship wish to clarify that no spectator was seriously injured in the opening stage of the Round 3 championship at Lake Kenyir in Kuala Terengganu on Friday (Oct 29 2010).

The Bahasa Malaysia daily Harian Metro had reported that a boy and a middle aged woman was seriously hurt when a participant's car spun out of control after overshooting a curve and hit both of them.

Actually when the car overshot the curve and crash into the bushes, majority of the spectators had moved out of harm's way except for the boy and the woman.

They suffered minor injuries and accompanied by officials, they were taken to the hospital and were treated for minor injuries and sent home.

"We have taken all precautions to ensure the safety of the spectators and it's unfortunate that the accident happen. In-fact the spectators were all very co-operative and we thank them and the State Goverment for the support they have given," said clerk of course, Tengku Shaharin Abu Bakar.

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KARAMJIT STRENGTHENS HIS GRIP ON THE OVERALL MRC TITLE IN TERENGGANU

LAKE KENYIR, TERENGGANU - Karamjit Singh is going from strength to strength and surely he has the Malaysian Rally overall title in his sight.

On Saturday he battled the elements to register an opening stage victory of the Round 3 Malaysian Rally at Lake Kenyir, Terengganu to put himself forward as a serious contender for the overall title when the final showdown takes place in Round 4 in Kangar in mid December.

With his co-driver Douglas Pickering, the duo behind the wheels of a Mitsubishi Lancer steered their way through the 43.5km course in tough conditions, including heavy rain and muddy terrain to register a winning time of 57mins 03.8secs.

In second place is the Japanese ace, Katsu Taguchi and his partner Jagdev Singh, also in a Mitsubishi Lancer in a time of 1hr 01 min 13.4secs which will give Karamjit a good three minute lead as the 22-man field go into the
second and decisive second stage on Sunday.

Finishing third is the Indian-Malaysian combination of Lohitt Urs and Manohar Menon, also in a similar vehicle, who clocked a total time of 1 hr 04mins 14.3secs.

The overall leader after the completion of two earlier rounds in Johor Bharu and Jempol, Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya in a Subaru Impreza, came in fourth on Saturday in a time of 1hr 04min 38.1secs and he knows he has plenty of hard work ahead if he and his partner Sean Gregory is to keep a tight grip on their lead.

Muhammad Rafiq is on a total of 24 points, eight ahead of Karamjit who is lying second with Taguchi on 11 points and the stage is set for the final showdown in Kangar for the decisive Round Four in mid December.

"I made a poor choice in my tyres selection for the opening stages of the race and that cost me precious times. But we managed to make up for it after a change of tyres and the race is still wide open. But I know the Sunday stage is very important. It’s a make or break situation for us," said Muhammad Rafiq.

For Karamjit, Saturday's race went smoothly. He was a little slow in the opening two stages but once he got going, he never looked back despite the rain and the muddy conditions, to come home unscathed.

In fact the rain fell so hard towards the end that the organizer had to cut short the race a little but by then Karamjit was home and dry.

"It's a good race for us. Things went well but there is still tomorrow (Sunday). Another good race on Sunday and we are ready to challenge for the overall title," added Karamjit.

KATSU DOMINATES THE OPENING STAGE OF MRC IN LAKE KENYIR

LAKE KENYIR, TERENGGANU - Katsu Taguchi gave himself a huge psychological lift after an impressive performance in the opening stage of the Round 3 of the Malaysian Rally at Lake Kenyir in Kuala Terengganu on Friday.

The Japanese ace, a former participant at the World Rally Championship, took his Mitsubishi Lancer, to a heartwarming win in the opening stage today, completing the 4.16km race time trial, to give himself and co-driver Jagdev Singh, a shot at the overall title.

They are lying fourth overall after the completion of the earlier two rounds - Johor Bharu in April and Jempol in July- and today's win will give them a boost as they prepare for the next two stages over the rugged terrain of the interior of Lake Kenyir, covering a total distance of 140km on Saturday and Sunday.

Taguchi, winner of the opening round in Johor Bharu back in April, completed the time trial race over the 4.16km route around the tarmac road surrounding the lake, in a total time of 3mins 01.3secs.

They were so fast across the tarmac road that the rest of the 21-car field just could not cope. Karamjit Singh and his partner Douglas Pickering, also in a Mitsubishi Lancer came in second fastest on a total of 3mins 12.9secs, a good 11 seconds behind and plenty of catching up to do.

Third in the opening stage on Friday is the Japanese pair of Takeshi Azuma and Masako Sakane in a Subaru Impreza in a time of 3mins 25.5secs while Lohitt Urs and Manohar Menon, the Indian and Malaysian combination also in a Subaru Impreza came in fourth in 3mins 26.2secs.

Muhammad Udhaya Rafiq, the overall leader who lead the series on a total of 24 points, came home in a disappointing ninth yesterday in his Subaru Impreza and he knows he now has to tackle the terrains to make up for his lack of success today.

"The real test will come on Saturday and Sunday. A test for the car and the drivers because none of us has ever raced here (Lake Kenyir) before. It will be interesting," said Muhammad Udhaya who is racing under the MRU Motorsports banner.

Karamjit, who is lying second overall on 16 points, is also hoping for a little
luck tomorrow as he makes a bid to consolidate his position before the fourth and final leg in Kangar in mid December.

"It's important that your car hold up well in rallying. Of course I am
determined to do well. But I need to keep my fingers crossed too hoping
nothing goes wrong with the car," said Karamjit.

KARAMJIT EYES ANOTHER PODIUM FINISH AT LAKE KENYIR IN ROUND 3 OF MALAYSIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2010

LAKE KENYIR, TERENGGANU - Karamjit Singh is looking for another podium finish to stake his claim for the overall title at the Malaysian Rally championship.

Only eight points separate him and the current leader as the championship enters Round 3 at the Kenyir Lake in Terengganu over the next three days covering a total distance of 467 kilometers.

Muhammad Rafiq Udhaya in his Subaru Impreza with co-driver Sean Gregory leads the charge with 24 points and Karamjit and company is next on 16 points. Andrew Miller and Manohar Menon in their Subaru Impreza is third with 13 points.

Naturally Karamjit, or better known as the Flying Sikh is his heydays where he once ruled the world, is eyeing a finish which will put him in a good position for the final showdown in Kangar in December.

"I am only eight points behind the leader and a strong finish over the weekend would help me close the gap and put me in a comfortable position for the final round in December.

"My philosophy over the years in my rallying career is to try and win every race I take part. Kenyir Lake would be no exception," said Karamjit.

Karamjit and his co-driver Douglas Pickering were the undisputed winner in Round 2 in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan two months ago in their Mitsubishi Lancer and the victory has given them a terrific boost for the overall title, come December.

"I always say that the first thing in rally is to stay clear of mechanical problems and I am praying my car will not give me any problem, before and during the race," added Karamjit.

But Muhammad Rafiq is not throwing in the towel just yet.

"I am still in the lead and the rest will have to beat me to dislodge me from the top. But we are all going into race without the benefit of having raced there (Lake Kenyir) before.

"So it's a question of who can adapt better to the conditions," said Muhammad Rafiq.

Japan's Katsu Taguchi, a former world rally participant, and his co-driver Jagdev Singh, who won the opening leg in Johor Baru in April, are lying fourth with 11 points and the rest of the field are keeping a close watch on the Japanese ace and his Mitsubishi Lancer.

Ends