Motorsport: Argyle third in Asia Pacific Rally Champs

New Zealand driver Geof Argyle is guaranteed to finish third overall in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship after placing fifth in the Rally of Thailand yesterday.

Argyle had decided prior to the weekend that this would be his last round of the eight-leg 2005 championship, opting to not contest the final round in China next month.

Technical problems on Saturday meant he couldn't improve another place overall.

"Obviously I'm disappointed, not just for Grant (Marra, Argyle's co-driver) and I, but for the whole team. We came here with a real chance of finishing the season second overall, but third was as good as we got," he said.

"I wouldn't say it was all or nothing, so much of it is about luck and cost of preparation. We are small players in a big championship, so while the overall event results have been disappointing, to finish third overall is a real achievement."

Argyle of the Silverstone Competition Tyres Team could do little to reclaim time lost after suspension breakage in Saturday's opening leg, instead concentrating on finishing the remaining six stages.

"I hate to say it, but we just had to take it easy and finish."

- NZPA