Calcutta: India's Gaurav Gill came up with another mature drive to retain the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship title, his third since 2013, as he led another 1-2 Team MRF sweep in the Coffee Day India Rally 2017 ahead of teammate Ole Christian Veiby from Norway, in Chikmagalur on Sunday, by 17 minutes, 38.4 seconds.

Going into the rally, organised by Motor Sports Club of Chikmagalur, and which doubled up as the fifth and concluding round of the 2017 APRC, 35-year old Gill and co-driver Stephane Prevot of Belgium led Veiby (Stig Rune Skjarmoen) by six points with both requiring a win to clinch the title. With the 21-year old Norwegian suffering mechanical problems on Saturday and losing time, Gill cruised to another fine win.

The victory was worth 38 points which took Gill's tally to 174 while Veiby finished on 160.