The first gravel round of the 2010 P-WRC took place over the weekend in the Rally Mexico. Two-time Production Car World Rally Champion Toshi Arai was joined by Gianluca Linari as the sole Impreza runners. With new co-driver Daniel Barritt onboard, Toshi made a fresh start in P-WRC. Although he had problems with the power steering in second place on the opening stage, he took the top spot by a wide margin, 23.3 seconds. He continued to challenge strongly despite twisty roads, and held the lead until SS5, but was taken over the lead on SS6. Despite all that, he won three stages, SS2, SS8 and SS9 and ended the leg a mere 5 seconds behind the leader.

In order that Toshi came out on top again, he made a strong run on SS10, the first stage of Day 2, but after that, vapour lock occured, and then on a steep incline he went off the road, damaging the car. He made repairs and came back to the stage but then on SS13 went off and got a puncture, losing over three minutes. The car was properly repaired at the lunchtime Service.

Toshi adopted a “safe” strategy for the afternoon, three minutes behind the leader and well ahead of 3rd place. On this day, he took five stage wins, SS10, and SS 15-19. On the final day Toshi continued to drive safely and preserve the car, and took 2nd place easily, while also winning the last stage, SS22. Gianluca Linari meanwhile, had a nearly trouble-free event to claim his best ever result in the P-WRC, fifth place. He felt more comfortable after changing his shock absorbers on the first day, but as well as other drivers, due to harsh conditions in Mexico, the only real issue he faced all weekend was some slight overheating which never became critical.

STI Group N Project General Manager George Donaldson:

“Once again we have seen Toshi drive a great event. He surmounted the challenge of new notes with his latest co-driver Daniel Barritt and then a few heat related issues with the car. Not only this, the 2010 edition of Rally Mexico has proved itself to be the toughest challenge the teams will face throughout this year. Looking at the championship Toshi is in great shape as we can identify that this year’s champion will be the one with most 1st and 2nd places. Already the main opposition has scored a third in Sweden, which will be crucial later in the year! Therefore we can be confident his 2010 campaign is very much on target.
With Toshi having a good start and the news that Patrik Flodin will now join P-WRC from Jordan, we find ourselves very well represented at the sharp end of the 2010 P-WRC.”
The next round of the 2010 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship is Rally Jordan, which takes place from April 1st to 3rd.