Isuzu has once again retained the AAM Malaysian 4x4 Rally Champion’s trophy when India’s Lohitt V. Urs was crowned the 2009 rally champion in Temerloh, Pahang recently.

Lohitt had a season-long battle with other Isuzu D-Max drivers namely 2008 champion William Mei and newcomer Chong Wee Siang who brought the title race right down to the wire in the last of the four-race championship.

The Isuzu D-Max proved to be the vehicle of choice in this year’s competition as the title race was dominated by these 3-litre Super Commonrail machines with proven durability and high performance.

According to Isuzu Malaysia’s Product Development Manager, the D-Max’s prowess stems from its highly dependable DNA. “Isuzu makes it an obsession to over-develop our vehicles to handle just about any kind of driving condition. Our heritage in diesel engine technology and cutting-edge research and development creates vehicles that are more suitable for tackling life’s challenges than just winning popularity contests,” said Zaqi. 

Lohitt, who was driving in his first season of competition in Malaysian rallies was full of praise for the Isuzu D-Max that took him to his first international rally win and first international rally championship. “The D-Max was absolutely fantastic to drive. I drove a different car in Round 1 and then jumped into a D-Max in Round 2 and immediately won the rally. It is amazingly strong and powerful. I really wish I could bring one back with me to compete in India,” said an elated Lohitt.

With a hattrick of wins under his belt, Lohitt made it his season although he found himself being pushed hard by local boys Chong Wee Siang from Johor who again set the pace this round only to suffer a puncture in stage 2.

As rain fell incessantly before the start of the event, the tracks became extremely greasy through the forest complex of Hutan Kemasul and Chong threw down the gauntlet by setting the fastest time through the stage, beating Lohitt by 24 seconds despite having gone off the road once.

First timer to Malaysian rallies Anil Wadia of India was well on the pace in third overall driving a D-Max for the first time and reveling in the muddy conditions. Less happy was Mei who was more cautious on the slimy forest roads and was down in sixth position.

SS2 was the turning point of the championship as Chong clipped a tree stump in his efforts to catch Lohitt and suffered a puncture. He had to stop and change the flat tyre, losing him 13 minutes and dropping him out of contention.

The last stage was run in the more ‘traditional’ oil palm plantation near Kerdau and the expected challenge from the Triton of Lim Seng Hai did not materialize as it was not in the performance league of the D-Max. Lohitt blasted through the 32-km stage to win by a margin of 54 seconds and with it, record his first hattrick of international rally wins and his first international rally title.

Results

Championship Standings