The Mitsubishi crew of Katsuhiko Taguchi and Mark Stacey will contest the Rally of Rotorua, the third round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, in a Group N specification Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII. Mitsubishi Motors and Ralliart will support the "Team MRF Tire" crew as they bid to win New Zealand's round of the series, which takes place between June 17-19.
Katsuhiko Taguchi is aiming to clinch his first APRC victory since his triumphant win back in 1999. He will contest six of the eight events in the 2005 APRC series, including the first five and either round seven or eight. Taguchi suffered disappointing retirements in the opening two rounds of the series, but in the 2004 Rally of Rotorua he claimed third overall and has high hopes of taking another podium position this year. Team-mate Jussi Valimaki (Finland) added to the team's points tally, by claming 2 consecutive APRC victories as a registered driver, first on the opening round in Canberra, Australia followed by a impressive win on the round in New Caledonia. Valimaki 's two opening round victories has surpassed everyone' s expectations. His performance on the remainder of the APRC is highly anticipated.
The Rally of Rotorua (Friday June 17-Sunday June 19) is hosted on the northern island of New Zealand and is based approximately two hours southeast of Auckland. The three-day event, fought out over two legs, encompasses 10 mixed surface stages and totals 756.74 kilometers with 251.28 being competitive. The event also includes the famous "Motu" stage, a daunting 47.38 kilometer winding forest stage, previously used in the FIA WRC event.
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Katsuhiko Taguchi / Mark Stacey
(2005 Rallye de Nouvelle-Calédonie) |
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A total of 28 crews from around the world are set to contest the event and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is once again a popular choice, with 18 crews set to participate. Of the FIA APRC contenders, Japanese drivers include Katsuhiko Taguchi, Toshihiro Arai (SUBARU Impreza) and Mitsuhiro Kunisawa (SUBARU Impreza). There are a total of 10 APRC registered drivers, seven driving Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, two in Subaru Imprezas and one in a Honda. The recce (test run) will take place between June 15th (Wednesday) and June 16th (Thursday), and the inspection and technical checks (turbo sealing) will be carried out on June 16th. Shakedown is scheduled on June 17th (Friday) and the event will then kick off with a ceremonial start in downtown Rotorua at 13:00 hrs.
The opening leg will then take the crews to the east of the city for three stages totaling 50.71 competitive kilometers. On Saturday, the crews take in another three stages covering 130 competitive kilometers, the leg also featuring the famous Motu stage. The final day of competition, on Sunday, is hosted near the city of Rotorua and covers four stages and 95.44 kilometers, before the finish in downtown Rotorua at 14:30 hrs (11:30 Japanese time).
After winning the APRC and Group N double-titles back in 1999, Katsuhiko Taguchi entered Mitsubishi's program for developing young and talented drivers. In 2001 he contested round six of the FIA World Rally Championship - the Cyprus Rally - in a works car, gaining considerable experience on such overseas events. In 2004 he entered the APRC in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in Group N. He showed considerable skill by taking victory on the fifth round, the China Rally. He then went on to claim second overall on the Rally of India and ultimately finished the series third overall.
Comment - Jussi Valimaki
"I'm very happy with 2 consecutive wins - for Rotorua I'm looking forward to the event. I know the roads in New Zealand and I really enjoy them, very much like Finland. I hope we can win again and make it a hat-trick"
Comment - Katsuhiko Taguchi
"The first two rounds were a disappointment but I'm ready to take on the event in Rotorua. There are twisty corners and the Motu stage is a very challenging track for which I will not lose focus. Last year I landed third so I'm pretty confident. Physically, I'm in top form. The Lancer is also in top shape and I will give it my all to land a top position."
