CUSCO's Bamba made second victory in a row of Junior Cup while Sungkar finished in second Pacific Cup at APRC Queensland round
Round 2 of FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), “Rally Queensland” (also opening round of Pacific cup , Round 2 of Junior Cup) was held from 13-15 May in Queensland, Australia. Pertamina CUSCO Racing entered this event Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X driven by Rifat Sungkar(Indonesia)/Scott Beckwith(Australia) to APRC and Pacific Cup. Also Proton CUSCO Rally Team brought PROTON Satria Neo(Group N spec) which Carrosser imports and distribute from the Malasyain manufacturer. Akira Bamba/Takahiro Yasui challenged APRC and Junior Cup. Occasionaly this time, Malaysian veteran Karamjit Singh borrowed identical machine from the team to this event. Singh is one of most experienced driver in the world and crowned APRC title three times additionally FIA Production Car Wolrd Rally Championshi (PWRC) title in its first season. For Bamba, competing in identical machine with such a strong driver would be ideal opportunity to gaine valuable experience for the young driver.
The rally route was compromised with total 19ss, 230.79km around Imbil, two hours drive north from Brisbane adding Super SS in rally base in Sunshine Coast. The stages are mixture of fast flowing and sometimes twisty forestry roads on a mixture of hilly and flat terrain. For Bamba who visited Australia for rally first time, it would be test to cope on those difficult stages which he has never been.
The event was kicked by ceremonial start on 13 May followed by two runs of 2.2km Super SS. Bamba showed great run with setting 2seconds faster time than Singh at one of the Super SS. It may gave the multiple champion extra stimulus. When proper stages begun from 14 May, Singh showed his real ability and pulled rivals away gradually and built 40 seconds gap to Ford Fiesta (also 2WD but more powered) . Singh’s time even battled with 2-little 4WD machine and finshed leg 1 in 9th overall. Meanwhile, Bamba completed stages in first visiting Australia stably and finished the first day in safely.
Sungkar, who showed sensational improvement on his performance at previous round in Malaysia, got good feeling this time again. For Sungkar’s co-driver, Beckwith from Queensland, to compete the event in his home country should be more motivated adding highly spirited Sungkar. In other hand, getting further speed for favourable Sungkar could be big task though. He tried new brake for first loop on Leg1, but it obstructed his better time. He changed setting for second loop and eventually finished the day in 6th, just behind from former WRC works driver or reigning APRC champion.
Singh’s unbeatable speed remained even on leg2 which brought him dominant class victory, event 9th overall. Bamba who adapted Australian stages set some faster time than Singh in Lag2. He struggled mix crests which was not character in Japanese roads, however showed steady performance having no trouble at all. He made second victory in a row among Juniour cup and 2nd in overall 2WD category. CUSCO built Satria Neo which already showed stable performance in its debut event in Malaysia corresponded to driving of even highly experienced driver smoothly which proved its high potential again. Additionally Sungkar also got rithym from second half of leg 2 and set 4th fastest time one and after another. He finished the event with moving his position up to 5th in overall and 2nd in Pacific Cup.
Next round of APRC, Round 3 “Rally New Caledonia” will be taken place on 17-19 June. For Bamba and Yasui with CUSCO built Satria Neo, next travel will be to New Zealand for next round of Junior cup, “Rally of Whangarei” (Round 4 of APRC, 15-17 July).
Quote: Akira Bamba
“I was really struggling to three-dimensional character such as mix crests or high speed range such as running 1-2km in five speeds which I could experience in Japan. Even slight miss-judge of pace note number could cost huge, so I really felt that how accurate pace note is important. Also I can compare my time to strong driver like Mr. Singh in almost identical machine, it was valuable chance to find current my level and what we need to do for improving. We have plenty of time until next round in New Zealand, so we will revise and use full experience this time.”
