Rally Japan : Mitsubishi / PCWRC - FinishMitsubishi Lancer Evolution driver Fumio Nutahara finished Rally Japan, the penultimate round of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship, in second position today. The Japanese collects eight points for a measured drive in a hotly-contested series.
Today`s final leg was the shortest of the event and took the crews to the north-west of Obihiro for five stages and 85.94 kilometers of competition. Nutahara started the day second of the FIA PCWRC crews and his focus was firmly focused on maintaining position during another difficult and tricky day.
“I am very happy with our result,” he said at the finish. “I had no problems at all today and our tire choices were good. In the first stage this morning I decided to push, but Toshi (Arai) was very fast so in the second one I decided to keep position, maintain a careful pace and be pleased with our second place. Our next event is Rally Australia, which I like a lot. Hopefully we can go one better there.”
Only seven FIA Production Car World Rally Championship contenders completed Rally Japan, and overnight fourth-placed FIA PWRC contender Federico Villagra was one of the casualties of the day. He went off the road and into retirement in an event where he was desperate to gain experience for the future.
Riccardo Errani did however complete all 26 stages and the Italian Lancer Evolution driver picked up points for finishing seventh of the contenders.
The final round of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship takes the crews to Rally Australia (November 10-13).
Tags:
mitsubishi,
lancer,
evolution,
group-n,
japan,
