Cody Crocker creates history

Unprecedented fourth Asia-Pacific Rally Championship title for the MIRT driver

OneShift Editorial Team

05 Oct 2009

Celebrations were abound for the Motor Image Racing Team (MIRT) as reigning champion Cody Crocker created history by clinching his fourth straight crown at the sixth round of the APRC 2009 in Makassar, Indonesia.

Crocker's victory positions him at one title win ahead of a line of rallying's greatest drivers, including his Subaru mentor, Possum Bourne, and Sweden’s Kenneth Eriksson, both of whom have three titles under their belts.

Teammate Emma Gilmour laid her claim on third position on the winner’s podium, adding to the shine of the stellar performance of the MIRT team.

Crocker started the Indonesian leg of the APRC needing only five points to secure an unassailable lead over rival Taguchi for the title. Winning seven of the eight competitive stages and setting up a lead of one minute over Taguchi, Crocker showed no signs of relenting and continued his stranglehold on the title.

Crocker dominated the remaining six stages of Day 2, not only emerging, again, in pole position, but increasing his lead time over Taguchi to one minute and 29 seconds, though merely requiring to finish Day 2’s stages to claim the title.

Crocker said after crossing the finish line of the final stage, "It's an incredible feeling to win four APRC titles, and it makes all the effort that Ben, the team and I have put in this year worthwhile. I couldn’t be happier.”

Thankfully, Crocker had a trouble-free run at the Indonesian Rally, well-known for being challenging for drivers and cars alike.

The same could not be said for teammate Emma Gilmour when her car overheated badly on the second stage of the day. However despite the early glitch, driver and car performed well through the remaining battery of stages and the scorching heat, clinching a commendable third placing in a rally that was every bit as tough as she had expected.

The next and final round of the APRC 2009 will be the Rally of China, to be held on November 14th and 15th.

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