Motor racing / Rally Hokkaido: Proton win APRC drivers' title
India's Gaurav Gill was initially announced as the winner of Rally Hokkaido on Sunday in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, but was later disqualified after stewards discovered technical irregularities with his vehicle.
This promoted Taguchi to first place and McRae second, and with not enough points to contest for in China, this had eliminated Gill's shot at the drivers' title.
The amended results see McRae, who had initially finished third behind Gill and Japan's Katsuhiko Taguchi, move up to second in the classification for Rally Hokkaido.
More importantly, it meant McRae and Proton teammate Chris Atkinson both moved to the top two positions in the drivers' championship with unassailable leads.
All that is left to be determined now is which of the two drivers will emerge champion in the final round in China next month.
Proton Motorsports head Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood said in a text message with McRae leading with 114 points and Atkinson with 109, meant the title was virtually confirmed to be in Proton's hands.
"With Gaurav disqualified, it means what would have been a three-horse race, is now just between the two Proton drivers," said Abdul Razak.
Whichever Proton driver lands the APRC overall drivers' title, will end the national car manufacturer's seven-year wait for the title.
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