Rally driver Karamjit can’t defend APRC title
BY LIM TEIK HUATPETALING JAYA: Lack of funds have derailed Malaysian rally driver Karamjit Singh's (pic) hopes of defending the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) title.
Karamjit is not competing in the Rally of Rotorua in New Zealand this weekend. Under APRC regulations, a driver has to take part in a minimum of two rallies in the Pacific and three in Asia.
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The 43-year-old driver even shipped his car to New Caledonia last month but was forced to pulled out after he could not raise enough sponsorship money.
The remaining legs of the eight-round APRC championships are in Japan (July), Malaysia (August), Indonesia (September), Thailand (October) and China (November).
A dejected Karamjit added that he could not understand why he had problem securing sponsorship despite having won the APRC overall title three times in the last four years.
“This is the first time in my career that I have to give up a title just like that. The organisers were hoping that I could defend the title. They are certainly disappointed with me,” he said.
“They knew our team had financial problems and were willing to subsidise our participation fees. But we still needed money for other things like tyres and to pay the mechanics.
“My only hope now is to get sponsors to race in the Rally of Malaysia in Johor (Aug 19-21). This is our home rally and the top drivers are coming.”
Last year, Karamjit won four of the six legs – in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India.
Karamjit added that he was still trying to secure additional sponsorship to enable him to finish his campaign in the production car category of the World Rally Championships (WRC).
“I have taken part in three races (New Zealand, Cyprus and Turkey) and I need to complete six rounds. This is the condition stated by the organisers,” he said. “If I did not take part, I can be fined US$3,000 for each round.”
Money matters aside, Karamjit said that he was more worried about the sanctions that FIA may bring on him.
“They can suspend my licence. If I am under suspension, how am I going to earn a living?”
Karamjit and his new co-driver, John Bennie of Scotland, achieved their best finish in the WRC so far in New Zealand where they finished fifth.
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