Yokohama’s motorsport technical consultant Ian Beveridge believes Fumio Nutahara is well prepared ahead of his second appearance in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season as he continues to adapt to left-hand drive.
Nutahara, who will contest the asphalt round in a Subaru Impreza R4 STI run on Yokohama tyres, made his Barum Czech Rally Zlín debut in 2010, the first time he had driven a left-hand drive car in competition.
“He’s missing the odd gear change but he’s getting more and more familiar with left-hand drive and has even got himself a left-hand drive car to practice in back home in Japan,” said Beveridge. “He did a shakedown test in Austria before coming here and we used shakedown this morning to confirm the results.”
Beveridge explained that Yokohama has developed a more “compliant” tyre for the Czech event, which provides improved stability and is calmer under braking, following changes to the tyre construction.
“We’ll probably go with a softer compound option because of the low grip nature of the road. We have no concerns how it will last in the heat.”
Nutahara’s Subaru is the only R4-specifciation Impreza competing in Zlín. Compared to the traditional Group N version – eight of which will be in action this weekend – it benefits from improved suspension dynamics, reduced weight and improved cooling.
Subaru is represented in the Czech Republic by Prague-based Emil Frey CR, which ensures the supply of STI competition parts into the country.