Making his debut in the World Rally Championship (WRC), Indias Sanjay Takale finished 14th in the WRC3 category at the conclusion of first leg in the Neste Rally Finland after suffering a puncture and damage to the lower arm of the car.
Piloting a 2-Wheel Drive Ford Fiesta prepared by Baltic Motorsports Promotion team with Darren Garrod as the co-driver, Pune-based Takale on Friday took his time getting used to the conditions that were tailor-made for superfast pace.
Focussing on negotiating the rough terrain and bringing the car home in one piece, Takale drove conservatively at the outset, and was further weighed down by the puncture on SS-9 followed by the damage to the lower arm which cost him precious time.
According to a release, Takale was much quicker on the second loop of the Stages as he came in 14th at the end of Leg-1 which comprised 11 Special Stages spread over 128.68 Kms.
Leg-2 on Saturday will prove to be an acid test for man and machine with eight more Special Stages to be run, covering a competitive distance of 142.86 Kms.
--IANS
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