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APRC Asia Cup Final Round Thailand Rally

Michael Young Acquires FIA Asia Cup Title!
Cusco Racing Finishes the Series as Top 3!

The FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championships (APRC) has finally come to the season closing Kings Cup International Rally of Thailand stage held December 6-8th, in the Lopburi Province 150km south of Bangkok.

It has been the year 2005 since the Thailand stage has been last used into the Asia Cup series. Where such big names as Colin Mcrae and Tommi Makinen has taken victory on this particular stage, in current times the Thailand Rally can surely be labeled as a legendary event. The Lopburi region in Thailand is known to have high heat and humidity, where the intense rays of the sun has adverse effects on machines and the people who pilot them. The significant contrast to the previous Malaysia stage including weather conditions and dusty road surfaces required the utmost adaptation capabilities for each and every contending team. Further difficulties such as extreme sandstorms resembling almost to that of snow plagued Leg 2 in the first day, and a 24.95km high speed course was also added without notice in the 2nd race day.

Being the last rally for the season for Cusco Racing team, Yuya Sumiyama & Naoki Kase combination aimed for victor in the Asia Cup as well as Shuhei Muta & Takahiro Yasui signed up in the Group N spec Subaru Impreza. Muta was assigned car number 1 for this event as well as given the opportunity to make the first run of the team. The Junior Cup title holders Michael Young & Malcom Reed come into battle in the Asia Cup for the 2WD class.

The ceremonial start took place on December 6th followed by a 6SS on Leg 1 the following day. The total SS length added to be 126.49km which included a 26.64km along with two loops around a 26.62 course. Leg 2 proved to be more tricky where it consisted of 8 consecutive jumps right after the start, and a rhythmically unpredictable 7SS course. The total calculated to be a 13SS stage consisting of 229.80km.

Left to right: Shuhei Muta, Takahiro Yasui, Yuya Sumiyama, Naoki Kase, Michael Young, Malcom Reed

The harshness of this rally began to show for Team Cusco. The series leader Muta / Yasui combo faced engine overheating issues near the SS2 finish line, forcing them to retire from the race. Their chances of acquiring a series title overseas has perished, atleast for this season. Young / Reed combo also faced trouble as their wheel wheel became jammed with rocks during the run, putting them in 4th place for the day.

(left) Muta / Yasui Subaru WRX STI, (right) Sumiyama / Kase Subaru WRX STI

Sumiyama / Kase group remained strong in the race as they managed to take control of the rythym of the course as they successfully complete the SS. At the end of they day, they had acquired more than a 3.5 minute lead over the second place team. Their good streak extended only until this day as driveline issues troubled the team in Leg 2 where retirement was the only choice given.

The only team remaining in the race was the Toyota Vitz RS piloted by team Young / Reed. By using all the skills and experience gained during their involvbement with the APRC series, the combo managed to successfully complete the rally. This secured them the Asia Cup title.

Young / Reed Combo Toyota Vitz RS

With the first place Malaysia rally under their belt and 2nd place Hokkaido round, Muta / Yasui combo ranked in overall 2nd place in the series. Sumiyama / Kase, who acquired the maximum points in the Hokkaido round, finished overall 3rd place. Team Cusco finishes the series in podium status for all three combos.