Arai partnered with Australian Dale Moscatt in a Yokohama- sponsored Subaru Impreza R4.
Considered one of the circuit’s toughest events, the rough gravel roads, relatively low speeds and high temperatures placed a huge strain on the cars, crews and tires. It was conducted as a mixed-surface rally, meaning that the competitors faced both gravel and tarmac surfaces.
“This rally was very difficult – very rough conditions and tricky with the mixed surfaces, so I am very happy to win the Production Cup here and of course, the title,” says Arai.
“We have the new R4 car and the new Yokohama tire this year, so I am very pleased because of this also,” he points out. “The Yokohama tires have been getting better and better this year and worked very well for us on this event. I am very happy.”
“We had a special version of the A036 ‘Rally Racer’ tire for Cyprus, specially reinforced for the rough conditions,” reports Ian Beveridg, Yokohama’s tire technician at the track. “We tended to use both the A036 and the A053 on the car at the same time, to get the right grip balance and handling and it seems to have worked perfectly,” he explains.
“Toshi drove very well and we were delighted with the way the tires held up in the conditions,” says Beveridge.“It is particularly gratifying to see Yokohama tires not only performing but doing so reliably and with no problems,” adds Mark Evans, chief of motorsports at Yokohama’s UK-based distributor. “Cyprus has a fearsome reputation, and for these tires to help him finish seventh out of a huge field of Super2000 cars shows that our tires offer the ideal characteristics for rallying; grip, wear resistance, strength and consistency.”
For more information, visit www.yokohamatire.com.
