by Brian Young


After two rounds it is 'one-all' in the fight for the 2007 Asia Pacific Rally Championship title.

Round one was on the tropical island of New Caledonia and was won by 2005 Asia Pacific champion Jussi Valimaki, who returned to the series after a year in the WRC. Valimaki took the lead on the second day from his team-mate Katsu Taguchi.

Both MRF Mitsubishi drivers were in a class of their own, finishing over 4 minutes ahead of their nearest rival New Caledinian Patrick Yania, also in a Mitsubishi.

If round one was an all Mitsubishi podium, round two was the complete opposite with Subaru securing the top four spots in APRC.

Rally of Whangarei was the NZ leg and marked the return of last years champion Cody Crocker with a new sponsor and new team. “We've signed a two-year deal with Motor Image (Singapore) and this gives us some long-term commitment to build on,” said Crocker prior to the start.

The Australian champion is joined in 2007 by Rifat Sungkar, the young Indonesian earning his drive with several podiums and a strong finish in last years APRC.

As MRF Mitsubishi opted to drop the New Zealand round (teams register for six of the seven rounds) it became a Subaru benefit with Crocker taking the top spot, Japan's Hiroshi Yanagisawa in the Cusco Subaru second and Sungkar bringing it home third for the Motor Image team. Adding weight to Subaru's dominance was New Caledonia Jean-Louis Leyraud.

The next round in Canberra Australia this coming weekend [June 1-3] is the first event of the year where the main contenders will all meet, excepting Yanagisawa who has dropped this round.

Crocker is on his home event and understandably confident: “Bring it on! Yeah there's a bit of competition this year with Valimaki, Taguchi and Yanagisawa all driving well - we gotta keep ourselves focused and on the task.”

Valimaki is not fazed by taking on Crocker on home territory: “Of course it is always easier for a driver on his home roads, but still I've quite positive feelings now, it will be a big battle, big fight. I think in Canberra we will have good pace - we need to have of course.”