Bangalore, Aug 21 - Team MRF were poised for a 1-2-3 finish in the Karnataka-1000, the second round of the Speed-Indian National Rally Championship at the end of Leg1, here Friday.

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Topping the time charts was 34-year old Arjun Balu (co-driver Sujith Kumar), who put in a very sensible drive in a Mitsubishi Lancer Cedia (N+ class) for a timing of 42 minutes, 04 seconds.

In the overall second place was Gaurav Gill (co-driver Moosa Sherif), also in a Cedia with a timing of 44:59 and undoubtedly the quickest driver. He was comfortably ahead until he suffered a puncture on the day's last Special Stage that cost him about three minutes and dragged him down to third spot.

However, Gill moved up a spot when team-mate Aroor Arjun Rao (co-driver Satish Rajagopal), running second after the day's six Special Stages, took a road penalty of three minutes and was docked 30 seconds that pushed him to third Overall.

The Coimbatore-based Balu, national runner-up on five occasions, was obviously pleased with his performance Friday.

'The car handled well unlike in Coimbatore when I finished Overall seventh. I drove sensibly today and my pace was good. As I have a good lead tonight, I will not take undue risks on the morrow and try to maintain my position,' said Balu.

While MRF took the day's honours, their arch-rivals Red Rooster Racing suffered with both their entries, National champion Vikram Mathias (co-driver PVS Murthy) and Amittrajit Ghosh (co-driver Ashwin Naik), winner of the first round in Coimbatore, packed up due to mechanical problems besides punctures. The duo, however, will run the second leg under the Super Rally format, if only for points.

Meanwhile, in the 1600cc class, Joseph C.