The FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) returns this weekend with its third round, the China Rally Zhangye. The rally is the first desert rally in the championships history and offers some unique challenges for the two ŠKODA MRF teams taking part.

Taking place in Zhangye, Gansu Province, in the north of China for the first time, the event consists of nine stages and 235 km of tough gravel tracks, which test the endurance and abilities of both drivers and vehicle.

But the two ŠKODA teams have a perfect record from the opening two rallies with one-two finishes at both the International Rally of Whangarei in New Zealand and the International Rally of Queensland in Australia. It is the experienced Indian driver Gaurav Gill, along with his Australian co-driver Glenn Macneall, who have claimed both wins so far, but hot on their heels both times were the young German driver Fabian Kreim and his co-driver Frank Christian.

The APRC China Rally Zhangye has all the makings of a great rally and you can keep track of all the action right here with our exclusive gallery.