Strong IRC competition impresses ace Arai

Toshi Arai has praised the level of competition in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge after becoming the first driver to win the IRC Production Cup with category victory on the season-closing Cyprus Rally on Saturday.

Driving a Subaru Impreza R4 STI alongside Australian co-driver Dale Moscatt, Arai beat Swiss privateer Florian Gonon to the crown. The mixed-surface event wasn’t part of Gonon’s schedule of events in 2011.

“I’m very pleased to be the champion because we have new R4 category car and also a new tyre,” said the experienced Japanese pilot. “In the first season the tyre is getting better and better and I am very pleased. There is still more development to come. There is still quite a big gap compared to the S2000 car but I have to find a good solution.”

Of the competition he’s faced during the season, Arai added: “The IRC is good competition. Everybody is so fast, you have a good fight with the good young drivers. It’s very good for the future.”

Marco Cavigioli also started the Cyprus showdown as a title contender but a succession of mechanical problems on Friday’s opening day forced the Italian to retire his Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.