Sean Gelael Dominates The First Day Of Lake Toba Reli 2023

Driver Sean Gelael while passing the track at the Lake Toba Reli 2023 event, Saturday (23/09/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Danau Toba Reli 2023)

SUMUT - Racer Sean Gelael dominated the first day of the Lake Toba Reli 2023 race which is also the fifth round of the FIA APRC Asia Rally Cup which took place on Saturday, September 23.

At SS1 in Dolok Country, both Sean Gelael and Hugo Magelhaes both admitted that they did not really spur their vehicles to their appropriate limits and chose to play safely.

"Yes, we are indeed careful, but that is normal. The short track and track are still not ideal," said Sean about the route that was cut about 6 km from the original plan, quoted from an official statement, Sunday, September 24, which was confiscated by Antara.

It was only when he entered SS2 in Huta Tonga, Sean Gelael/Hugo Magelhaes stepped on the gas. From the route in Huta Tonga he had a lot of time savings and immediately opened the distance to the closest rivals, whether it was Musa "Ijeck" Rajekshah, Ryan Nirwan, or then H Rahmat.

It continued with SS3 at the Gorbus, even after that he had a tire burst and had to repair it on the touring route. He was helped in quite a while, considering that SS4 was held during the day in Dolok Country again.

SS4 is the only session where Sean loses. All because he made a mistake when he just started the special route. He twisted and paused for a moment, before being able to improve the position of the car on the track and continue the rally.

Because of the twist, Sean lost 12.3 seconds to H Rihans Variza (Ford) the SS winner and was in 5th position.

"We had an oversteer and twisted, fortunately we didn't hit the side of the road and the car engine was still running," Hugo said.

Indeed, after the incident in the Land of Dolok, Sean closed the day with an even more devastating advantage in the following SS in Huta Tonga, 26.1 seconds over H Rahmat. Overall, Sean/Hugo closed the first day with a time advantage of about 2 minutes 11 seconds from H Rahmat who both rode Hyundai.

Reporting from Lake Toba Reli 2023 the following is the temporary standings: 1. Sean Gelael/Hugo Magalhaes (Hyundai) 43:13.42. H Rahmat/Hade Mboi (Hyundai) +2:11.33. Musa Rajekshah/My friend Soejono (Skoda) +2:12.5

Toba ReliSungu Lake Schedule, September 24,SS6 - Dolok Country Reverse (4.55 km)SS7 - Huta Tonga Reverse 1 (16.42 km)SS8 - Gorbus 2 (15.66 km)SS9 - Huta Tonga Reverse 2 (16.42 km)