Could not understand the quote in the end but agree with SK that you should stick to your guns and work with Surf.
INSHA ALLAH when we meet on Sunday, we will have more elaborate discussion but now that you have been to Cholistan and know many things first hand, allow me to state in most clear words that SK and I have completely different and distinct ideologies for rallies. SK cherishes the fact that he has built something out of scrap and his FJ, is able to beat some novice drivers.
My ideology is exactly the opposite. Two years ago, I donated probably the best available Evo in Pakistan for rallies and after rolling it over, bending its chassis and blowing one engine, have achieved six podiums in my last seven races. I admit and agree that the first positions in Malam Jabba Snow Rally 2011 and Cholistan 2013 were by default i.e. due to the absence of Nadir Magsi, yet the two 2nd positions and two 3rd positions were hard fought and well deserved to much extent. These podiums, in addition to self satisfaction, have given me the status that all known rally drivers consider me a realistic competition, hence, the respect associated with it.
While I respect the ideology of SK, if some day, due to financial or health constraints, I reach the conclusion that I am not able to seriously compete to win, I would probably leave rallies altogether.
If i remember correctly, you had lengthy discussions with me and SK before purchasing Surf. Do not know what exactly SK suggested but surely he was of the view to prepare something out of a scrapyard and I suggested that you should buy a 3-door Nissan, preferably 1998-2003 model for rallies. I also suggested that if you are not comfortable with Nissan then buy a 2005-2006 manual Vigo and prepare it for rallies.
A rally prepared 3-door 1998-2003 Nissan would have been a project of 2.3-2.5 million at the most. Rally prepared 1990-1998 Nissan would have costed around half. Similarly, a rally prepared Vigo would have costed around or just over 3 million. I also told that these vehicles are already in rally and able drivers driving such vehicles are consistently podium winners.
You had the finances and bought a stock Surf for over 3 million. You spent probably 3 to 4 hundred thousand on preparing it for the rally. Unfortunately, your Surf rolled over and you lost on its resale value. If you want to cut your losses on Surf and start from scratch to build a new rally vehicle just because you think that Surf is not manageable or not a podium finisher then I would say that you are wrong. If you can polish your rally driving, a 2003 Surf with 1KD can be a regular podium finisher. You already have the roll cage, chip and one set of icons. All you need is a second set of rebound control shocks and better springs at the back. You can reduce weight of around 100kgs by removing the tail gate and rear doors but even if you keep them, 1KD Surf is faster and has better handling than a Vigo. You might be impressed with a driving of Mukesh and some Jimny guys but you should also know that all of them have had many roll overs and are in rallies for years and years. On the other hand, it was your first rally and your vehicle set up was not ideal so no wonder you could not keep up with Mukesh.
Deciding radically after a roll over is in my opinion a "knee jerk reaction" only. Would suggest that you should rethink and reconsider.
What you must do at this point is to adopt one ideology whole heartedly. It can be SK's ideology or it can be my ideology. Once you are done choosing which way you want to approach a rally, I am sure you can achieve your goal. Many people congratulate me for winning Cholistan only because I am the first from Punjab to win it. Do you want to do it for KPK, or not, its your choice.
In my heart, I know that you are a very capable driver and have the mental and physical strength to overcome the deficiencies. I am 100% convinced that Surf is a winner if only you can improve your driving, which you would eventually within the next couple of rallies. If you stay steadfast on my ideology, which you opted last year, trust me you will be a force to recon within 2013-2014 season.