Stohl: Corsica will be an extended test for Subaru

Manfred Stohl, whose Stohl Racing team will be responsible for running Subaru’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge campaign in 2011, says Tour de Corse-E.Leclerc will be used as an extended test session for the Japanese manufacturer.

Subaru is fielding an all-new R4-specification Impreza WRX STI for Toshi Arai on the island rally, one of six IRC events it will tackle this season in conjunction with tyre firm Yokohama.

“We are just at the first step with this project and it’s much too early to expect our car to fight with the Super 2000 cars,” said Stohl. “The rally will be a test for us and the aim will be to get to the finish without any technical problems.”

Arai was due to arrive at Stohl’s Austrian base on Wednesday where he will undertake a test before heading to Corsica, where round three of the IRC will take place from 12-14 May.

Subaru’s IRC bid will be run in partnership with tyre firm Yokohama, which is providing its Advan tyres for the project.