Yokohama to support Toshi Arai and Fumio Nutahara in IRC Europe

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. will provide its Advan A006T (for tarmac) and ADVAN A053 (for gravel) rally tyres in support of Toshi Arai and Fumio Nutahara in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), which has been underway in Europe since January. Yokohama Rubber is endeavouring to improve recognition of its Advan rally tyres in Europe by supporting proven drivers in highly popular rallies.

Arai and Nutahara will drive their Subaru WRX STI spec Cs, developed by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. in accordance with the new Group R4 regulations, in order to enhance car performance from the Group N category. Group R4 allows the use of authorized kits to enhance the performance of cars in the Group N category, where conversions of commercially sold vehicles are strictly regulated (currently Fuji Heavy Industries is applying to FIA for official approval under the regulation). As a result, lighter vehicles, changes to suspension and improved cooling systems are possible.

A two-time winner of the FIA production car world rally championship, Arai will participate in five rounds starting with the third, Tour de Corse – E. Leclerc in France, to be held on 12 May. Nutahara, who has won the Japanese Rally Championship nine times, will take part in three rounds starting with the sixth, Sata Rallye Acores in Portugal, scheduled for 14 July.

Launched in 2007, IRC is a rally championship authorized by Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and operated by Euro Sport, a sports TV network in Europe. All IRC rounds are televised live via satellite and cable. IRC is characteristically structured around traditional or significant rallies selected from among current rally championships in Europe. This year, 12 rounds, including world-renowned Rallye Monte-Carlo in Monaco and Tour de Corse in France, are included.

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