Karamjit Singh won the MRF India rally on Sunday after a faultless drive over the demanding stage to the west of Pune in his group A Proton, but his victory was one point short of the score he needed to retain his FIA Asia Pacific rally championship crown.

Armin Kremer took the FIA APRC title after a courageous drive into second place in his MRF tyres backed group N Mitsubhishi, picking up seven super rally points.

The German star led the India rally at the end of the first leg, after Singh had lost time with a puncture. That leg victory earned him three super rally points, while Singh took only two and ensured his championship win.

The Malaysian won the next two legs extending his winning margin to 2 minutes 22 seconds, but having dropped the early super rally point, his only chance of taking the championship was, if Kremer lost second place or failed to take second on the last two legs.

"I am happy to win in India- the country is very special to me", Singh said and added it was frustrating to lose the championship by one point.