2013 APRC Rd.4 Malaysia: Muta/Yasui Takes Overall Win
Muta Takes Overall Win in his First Overseas Rally - APRC Malaysia
Young in the Toyota Vitz makes 2nd
Top Place Finishes for Team Cusco Racing!
Round 4 of the 2013 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championsips (APRC) labeled as the "Malaysian Rally" took place August 23-25th as a gravel stage rally.
The 2013 APRC season is finally in its 2nd half of the season, as well as this round being the season opener of the subtitle, the Asia Cup This gravel course consists of many junctions and plantations, where even the seasoned competitors are known to overanalyze turns.
Team Cusco Racing has a total of 4 vehicles in participation, first along with lat year's Asia Cup champions Yuya Sumiyama / Naoki Kase in the Group N Subaru WRX STI. The JRC JN3 class champ Shuhei Muta joined the ranks as his first ever participation in an rally overseas along with his co-driver Takahiro Yasui (former co-driver for Akira Bamba). Third team consists of Hiroshi Asakura / Satoshi Takahashi in the 2WD Proton Satria Neo who have been confirmed participation in the entire APRC series for the year. The last but not least, the final team on the roster this season is the TRD / Cusco collaboration Toyota Vitz RS driven by Michael Young / Malcolm Read.
Left Photo: Yuya Sumiyama (L) / Naoki Kase (R)
Right Photo: Shuhei Muta (L) / Takahiro Yasui (R)
Left Photo: Michael Young (L) / Malcom Reed (R)
Right P{hoto: Hiroshi Asakura (R) / Satoshi Takahashi (R)
The August 3rd Malaysian Rally actually took place in Johor Bahru where the 2.50km SS1 course was laid out immediately following the ceremonial start. The actual race didnt begin until the following day of the 24th where the the 15SS total 219.90km course consisting of a 2 loop 3SS 26.32km, Super SS, 2 loop 3SS at leg 2, ending with a Super SS.
The Finnish contender Esapekka Lappi who also competes in the WRC entered this round of the APRC along with his teammate Gaurav Gill. His sheer presence provided great threat to Sumiyama/Muta however Lappi faced machine trouble when his engine had malfunctioned at the end of SS4. Gaurav Gill also overshot a turn on the same stage, enflicting significant damage to his vehicle. Through successful strides of consistent runs, Sumiyama/Kase combination managed to get the top time of the day, along with Muta/Yasui who came in 2nd place. Cusco racing achieved a top 1 and 2 finish this day, which is a great accomplishment for the entire family.
Left Photo: Yuya Sumiyama / Naoki Kase Subaru WRX STI
Right Photo: Shuhei Muta / Takahiro Yasui Subarui WRX STI
Sumiyama and Kase combination faced trouble the second day where the dry conditions applied increased stress to the machine where surely enough, the engine broke down. This forced these two to retire however, Muta/Yasui combo finished the race to place 1st in class to win this Malaysia stage.
One member in the 2WD class faced plenty of troubles as Asakura veers off-course into a ditch on the SS2, able to work his way out after a time consuming struggle. He later faced more issues when the radiator punctured after a bad jump landing, forcing him to take precaution and retiring frtom the race. Michael Young on the otherhand, managed to score consistent performance and managed to rank in at 2nd place this round.
Left Photo: Asakura / Takahashi Proton Satria NEO
Right Photo: Young / Read Toyota Vitz
The next APRC rally stage is set to take place September 27th-29th in the Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan labeled as "Rally Hokkaido".
Malaysia Rally Official Page
http://www.malaysianrally.com/2013/aprc2013/index.asp
Official Results
http://www.malaysianrally.com/2013/APRC2013/results.asp
