YOKOHAMA at ERC Romania
31 Jul 2013

Japanese driver Toshi Arai claimed victory in the Production Car Cup and third place in the overall result of the European Rally Championship (ERC) in his first race of the season. At the Sibiu Rally in Romania on 25^th – 27^th July 2013, Arai and his co-driver, the Australian Anthony McLoughlin left most competitors behind their Subaru Impreza R4 STI from Team Stohl Racing.

Due to the vast experience of racing team owner, Manfred Stohl and the timely advice of YOKOHAMA´s Motorsport engineers, both drivers understood the Sibiu roads quickly despite the fact this was their first attendance at the event.

Co-driver McLoughlin travelled all the way from Australia to a star performance following Arai feeling unwell on the second day and forcing McLoughlin to drive their Subaru on the road sections between the stages on day 2. “It was a great result today,” said McLoughlin.  “It was a hard weekend. I’ve only done one rally before with Toshi two years ago and we also won that rally so the good luck has continued.”

So all in all, a very good result and his support driving for Arai, made his 36-hour flight from Australia more than worth it.  

Japanese tyre manufacturer YOKOHAMA also took the opportunity to invite some Romanian dealers to this racing event. A cosy hospitality was set up next to the tyre service area with a direct insight to the Stohl Racing Team´s zone. Interviews were arranged with the rally aces Arai and McLoughlin and the guests were able to feel the motorsport atmosphere at first hand.

YOKOHAMA hostesses also looked after the guests and drivers as well as providing product catalogues and hand fans to relieve the many spectators attending the hot rally event.

After a very successful ERC weekend in Belgium two weeks ago, where Andreas Aigner won the Production category in his Subaru Impreza STI R4 equipped by YOKOHAMA tyres, this was another exciting challenge for the Stohl Racing Team. Their driver Aigner is still leading the standings of the production cup, although he did not participate in the Sibiu Rally.

Arai will continue his hunting of points for the Production category together with the Stohl Racing Team and on his YOKOHAMA tyres after the summer break at the next ERC Barum Czech Rally Zlín race which takes place in the Czech Republic from 30^th August to 1^st September.