Japan’s Cusco Racing are the first team to announce their plans for the 2018 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship with two cars entered for the full six round championship.
Already on their way to New Zealand for the first round 4-6 May is Cusco’s Skoda Fabia R5 to be driven by Yuya Sumiyama and the team’s Toyota Vitz (Yaris) 4WD rally car to be driven by New Zealander Mike Young.
Mike Young and Malcolm Read will have a full season at the wheel of an AP4 car. Photo: APSM.tv
What’s more interesting is the power unit in the Toyota is a Lexus 2000 cc direct injection turbo engine supplied as part of a joint project with TRD Japan (Toyota Techno Craft Co., Ltd.).
The Vitz will be entered in the ASN category and running alongside the R5 Skoda is expected to provide a bench-mark as Cusco and TRD continue development of the Toyota.
The association with TRD is not new as Cusco Racing and Young competed in the 2013 APRC in a production class 2WD Toyota Vitz, winning the 2013 Asia Cup against much faster opposition.
Cusco Racing are multiple winners of the Asia Cup, having competed in the APRC since 2003 with a variety of cars including Subarus, Toyotas and Mitsubishis.
Mike Young in action at Rally Australia in 2017. Photo: Peter Whitten
“This is an exciting year for our team and a great opportunity for both drivers,” said Tsutomu Nagase, President of CARROSSER Co., Ltd., Cusco Racing parent company.
“We know the Skoda Fabia R5 can win the championship outright and we’re looking forward to working with TRD to further develop the Toyota Vitz.”
“Its an ideal scenario where we can bring our experience of international rallying together with their knowledge of engine development”
Cusco will run a Skoda Fabia R5 for Yuya Sumiyama. Photo: Luke Whitten
Kiwi driver, Mike Young, was equally excited at the news.
“I must thank Cusco Racing for their loyalty over the years and giving me this task of developing their Toyota Vitz,” he said.
“It’s the perfect platform and the best way to test by doing the rallies it likely to compete in.”
“These new cars are much lighter and have much better suspension travel compared to the Group N cars I’ve driven previously.”
“We will run on Dunlop tyres once again which will give us a great overall package for the year.”
“To say I’m excited about the year would be an understatement,” concluded Young.
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