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.