Mike Young aiming high, in his team’s home event

2018-09-11

Mike Young, Car#2 on Cusco’s Toyota Vitz 4WD, expressed his will to show the best of his car on the home event for both of his team (Cusco) and his car (Toyota), in his press release issued today.

“This year I really want to show the potential of the Cusco TRD Vitz, we are at the stage now where I think we can get a good result and performance. I’m not saying I’ll go flat out but I definitely want to do well for myself, my team Cusco Racing and TRD. It’s their home event and an important rally for them.”

Each of APRC round has its own unique character, and Rally Hokkaido’s one is narrow and fast gravel with deep rut, sometimes very tough and demanding for cars. And last year, KUNNEYWA stage spoiled the day of the many cars. Mike sees Kunneywa (SS4/8) will be key stage for 2018 as well, while his his favorite stage is YAM WAKKA (SS3/6).

“The key stage will be Kunneywa. It’s one of the longest stages of the rally, super-fast and narrow but also rough. Last year many cars retired on this stage and it will be important to get a good stage time as it will set me up for the rest of the rally. It also has a very big bridge jump but the stage that I look forward to the most is Yam Wakka, its super twisty but fast at the same time. I’m glad its back in the rally this year.”

Both of the two stages will be drivn on Leg 1B on Saturday 15th, together with famous RIKUBETSU LONG stage(SS2/5/7), whose right turn after a water splash swallwed 6 of the rally cars including Mike’s Proton Satria, back in 2011.

While the official result for Round 1 of the APRC this year (Whangarei) was DNF with mechiancal probem, Mike showed speed next to Hayden Paddon on the first 3 stages. And in the previous round, Malaysia, he achieved 2nd APRC. Then the machine received major rebuild in its base in Gunnma prior to the event, Mike and his machine seems to be ready to move 1 position upward.

Well, it seems we cannot miss how the rally goes on Leg 1B on thsi coming Saturday !