KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian rally driver Gunaseelan Rajoo marked his long-awaited return to the rally scene with a bang, securing a podium finish in the 1400cc (1.4L) category by clinching second place and finishing sixth overall in the International Open Category at the Mile International Auto Rally Championship 2026, held in Mile, Yunnan Province, China.
“This result is just the beginning. I’m looking forward to building on this momentum and competing in more international events in the coming months and into next year,” he said in a statement today.
Competing after a 15-year hiatus, Gunaseelan faced early challenges driving a left-hand drive Volkswagen Polo 1.4L rally car, to which he had to instantly adapt under racing conditions.
To add to the pressure, his team faced a significant setback during the opening leg of the championship when the car suddenly dropped to three cylinders and suffered misfiring issues throughout a demanding 4.5-kilometre stage.
Gunaseelan reflected on the moment and said it tested both him and the team.
“It took some time to adjust—not just physically and mentally, but also to the left-hand drive car. But overall, we found our rhythm and pushed hard to recover.
“We had to nurse the car through the stage just to reach the finish. Thankfully, the mechanics did an excellent job getting us back on track in time for the next leg,” he added.
While showcasing his prowess on the track, Gunaseelan also seized the opportunity to promote Malaysia on the international stage, in support of Tourism Malaysia and its ongoing campaign for Visit Malaysia 2026.
Souvenirs distributed during the event were warmly received by fans and participants alike, helping to foster stronger cultural ties between Malaysia and China.
The rally also enjoyed strong backing from the local authorities in Mile City, whose commitment and cooperation were instrumental in ensuring the event's success.
Gunaseelan conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to Mile City Mayor Pan Jin Jun, as well as the organising committee led by Ma Jun Kun.
During the rally, he presented them with special souvenirs from Tourism Malaysia, including the beloved Malayan Sun Bear mascots, Wira and Manja.
“I would like to thank the Mile Government and the Mayor for their warm support and hospitality,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to his sponsors and partners for supporting his return to the racing scene.
Gunaseelan made his long-awaited return to competitive rallying this year, having last competed in 2011.
Once affectionately known as "Mr Consistent," he built a formidable reputation behind the wheel of machines such as the Proton Satria, before progressing to the Proton Putra 4WD Turbo and later the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX and X.
His illustrious career was highlighted by winning the Asia-Pacific 2WD Championship, cementing his status as one of Malaysia's most accomplished rally drivers before stepping away from the sport. - April 27, 2026
The post Gunaseelan Rajoo storms back from 15-year hiatus with podium finish in China rally appeared first on Scoop.
