Gaurav Gill's Triumphant Return to APRC in Indonesia

Medan, Indonesia, Aug 8 (PTI): Gaurav Gill, once known for his powerful serves on the tennis court, has found his true calling racing down the demanding tracks as India's most celebrated rally driver and a legend in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

Returning to the APRC circuit after a seven-year hiatus, Gill must be experiencing a sense of déjà vu, having clinched his maiden round victory in this same country, Makassar, 17 years ago in 2008.

Heading into the event as a favorite, Gill joins forces with Team JK Tyre and Vamcy Merla Motorsports, presenting a formidable five-car lineup.

Teaming up with his French co-driver Florian Barral, Gill aims to harness the capabilities of a Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo in the premier category.

Reflecting on his journey from tennis courts to dusty rally tracks, Gill reminisced about his transformation into one of India's premier motorsport champions.

"Initially, I was quite successful in tennis. I was seeded at the junior level, starting at six years old. Inspired by my uncle Upkar Gill and multiple-time National Rally Champion Hari Singh, who visited my home, my interest in motorsport grew," Gill recounted in an interview with PTI during the Sumatera Utara Rally, the third round of the APRC, beginning on Friday with a ceremonial start.

"In my eyes, they were like gods, figures to aspire to emulate as a child."

The presence of race cars at home spurred his natural progression towards becoming a race car driver—a career he found flamboyant and exciting.

A recipient of the Arjuna Award in 2019, the sole motorsport athlete honored thus far, Gill won the APRC title three times in 2013, 2016, and 2018.

Gill stated, "The ability to achieve my goals is personally satisfying, but the recognition benefits the broader community, not just me."

Motorsport, a costly endeavor, is indeed a viable career path, he emphasized.

"The Arjuna award wasn't solely for me—it was for the sport, highlighting its legitimacy beyond a hobby for affluent individuals to being a serious career opportunity requiring hard work," Gill noted.

The journey involves sacrifices and risks. "I've endured many accidents, crashes, surgeries, yet I'm here racing again. Like any other sport, it involves significant sacrifices, including being away from family," he shared.

Gill encourages budding individuals that motorsports can be a sustainable career, akin to any other sport.

"A career in motorsports is as viable as any other field. Success can lead to substantial rewards comparable to or exceeding those in other disciplines, depending on the discipline's nature," he explained.

"I managed to forge a full-time career here. The field has grown significantly—from 20-25 cars to around 75 today."

Regarding his future, Gill, 43, stated he would retire when there's someone ready to take his place.

"I aim to continue as long as I'm passionate. I still possess the enthusiasm and speed. If I discover emerging talent, I'll assist them and might even consider giving up my seat," he said.

Primed as one of the favorites for the title, Gill remains pragmatic. "While the car is relatively new to me, it's a familiar spec. The real challenge lies in the unpredictable terrain," he mentioned.

"Weather conditions can drastically change—from scorching heat to a sudden thunderstorm, altering track conditions significantly," he concluded.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)