Interview: “BIC is one of the finest circuits in the world” – National Rally Champion Gaurav Gill

How does it feel to lead the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, especially with fellow countryman Sanjay Takale in second place?

It’s good to lead the championship but we are only two rounds in (of six) so round three and four are the most crucial rounds, as they can be the decider. And yes a great effort from Sanjay, he has driven well up until now.

Do you think an Indian 1-2 in the APRC championship is a real possibility? How important would such a feat be to Indian rally enthusiasts?

Yes maybe! It is good for the country and to win from India, we can show how good we can be despite not having these cars available for practice.

You’ve often tested cars at the BIC, how good is the circuit and what needs to be done to make sure more circuits like it are built in India?

It is one of the finest in the world and without a doubt, I’m proud of it! It is very demanding on the cars though. I guess we need more like minded business tycoons to do the needful and the Govt. should start recognising it as sport and not entertainment (for more circuits to be built).

How important a role has Vicky Chandok and the FMSCI played to improve the state of racing in India over the years? Do you think a lot more can be done?

Vicky Chandhok is the most influential Indian in FIA today and because of him we get more visibility in the world of motorsport.

It been a great having him around and he’s been instrumental in getting F1 to India and now we are all working together to bring APRC/WRC to India.

There is no limit to what can be done for this sport, as long as we all unite towards a dream, anything is possible!

You seem to have always preferred dirt racing to road racing, why so?

I feel more at home when I drift around a bend rather than just drive through it at a fast pace like in racing. More importantly the feel of not knowing the nature of the bend you are going to attack on the limit is a rush no other Motorsport can offer.

I love fast winding gravel roads! Oh yes and in rallying you not only get to drive flat out sideways but you also fly!

You obviously love the use of over-steer, so what’s your favourite move: the opposite lock or the Scandinavian flick?

I love over-steer. It’s all about ‘car control” but with these ultra-modern rally cars one needs controlled aggression today.

But nothing beats the feeling when you get it 100% perfect at each corner through the entire stage while driving on the limit.

The Scandinavian flick was a great invention but is seldom used in cars with four-wheel drive; I mostly use it when I’m in a car which has two-wheel or front wheel drive.