Huizhou, Guangdong Province: Taguchi Katsuhiko of Japan with Australian co-driver Mark Stacey, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO8, won the China Rally yesterday (Oct. 24) in Huizhou, South China's Guangdong Province.

The three-day tournament is part of the 2004 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and also a part of the China National Rally Championship.

The MRF Tyres Team Japanese driver clocked a time of 40 minutes 27.7 seconds yesterday, the second best result in the final day, but it proved enough to send him to the winner's rostrum with a total time of 2 hours 8 minutes 59.9 seconds.

His final triumph depended mostly on the brilliant performances on the second day of the competition, where he led all the way from leg three and set a solid basis for the final six stages.

It was also a big success for the MRF Tyres team, as Katsuhiko's teammate Armin Kremer of Germany clocked the fastest time of the day, an achievement keeping giving him third place with a time of 2 hours 10 minutes 9.8 seconds.

Former world champion Karamjit Singh of Malaysia with Proton relied on his consistency and super driving skills to finish second, only 16.4 seconds behind the leader, making him closer to winning the 2004 Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

The sixth round of APRC, also its final stage, will be hosted in India in December.

In the national competition, Oscar Svedlund of Sweden with the Honghe Rally team gave an outstanding performance on the final day and finally won the first place in a time of 2 hours 18 minutes 46.1 seconds.

Veteran driver Chan Chi Wah with Hong Kong Speed King Club emerged as the runner-up in a time of 2 hour 19 minutes 44.3 seconds.

Editor: Olivia