The Japanese’s WTCC debut, one of the great attractions of Suzuka’s event
A fourth Chevrolet Cruze will be entered at the next round of the WTCC, the Race of Japan, to be held at Suzuka on 22-23 October, and entrusted to local hero Toshi Arai. He will drive a 2011 Cruze 1.6 turbo prepared by RML, fully updated with the same specifications of the current works car. Arai had the opportunity to test the car and work with the team last week in England.
Toshi Arai, 45, a motorsport legend in his country, has a long and diversified experience indifferent motorsports disciplines. At international level, he is better known for his long andsuccessful career as a rally driver and team owner: the Isesaki-born was a Japanese RallyChampion in 1997 before winning the FIA Teams Cup in 2000. Since 2001, he is involved inthe WRC, having won the Production Car title twice, in 2005 and 2007.In Suzuka, he will make his debut in the WTCC and is presence will certainly attract a lot ofattention from media and fans.
• QUOTESToshi Arai: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to race my home event of the WTCC andto do it with Chevrolet. This will be a new experience for me, but the philosophy of WTCCcars and of the WRC Production Cars I normally drive is the same and I hope I can adaptquickly. To debut in the WTCC with the Cruze and the reigning World Champion team is thebest proposition one could dream of. I tested the car last week at Pemberey, in the UK, and Iwas extremely pleased. The Cruze is pleasant to drive and very responsive, and the teamextremely professional. Touring car racing and the WTCC are new to me, but I’m anxious tobe in Suzuka and I will also be very happy to meet again with Alain Menu, whom I haveknown at Prodrive years ago.”
Eric Nève: “It is always a pleasure for Chevrolet to enter a fourth car whenever possible, andwe are even happier when we can entrust it to great motorsports figures such as Toshi Arai.We thank the partners that have made possible this initiative. I am convinced that Toshi willdo well and that his presence will contribute a lot to the success of the Japanese event.”Sumito Ishii, Managing Director, GM Japan Ltd: “Early September, Chevrolet won itssecond consecutive WTCC World Manufacturers’ Championship title, and we are veryexcited that the WTCC will come to Japan next month. We are also glad Toshi Arai will jointhe Chevrolet team at Suzuka. Throughout the 100 year history of the brand, Chevroletdrivers have challenged the best drivers in the world and we all look forward to another greatperformance by Toshi Arai and the Chevrolet team here in Japan.”
