APRC - Rally Hokkaido thanks supporters and looks forward to top competitors
Apr-19 2005 / 19:56 EDT

APRC RALLY HOKKAIDO THANKS SUPPORTERS AND LOOKS FORWARD TO TOP COMPETITORS

Rally Hokkaido was officially launched on Sunday, April 17 at the Obihiro Mitsubishi's showroom in Otofuke. As well as journalists and general public the function was attended by the Mayor of Otofuke, Mr YAMAGUCHI Taketoshi, Vice Chairman of the Rally Japan Support Association, Mr OOSUGA Yoshiaki and the Vice President of Tokachi Mainichi Newspaper, Mr HAYASHI Hiroshi.

Mr SAKUTA Kazumasa, Chairman of the newly formed Otofuke Rally Success Association was also present at the launch, along with representatives of the local businesses who have formed the Success Association to help the Rally in their contacts with the local community. All of the guests expressed their strong support of the event which will be run in a close cooperation with local authorities, businesses and residents.

Rally Hokkaido is the fourth round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship for 2005 and the third round of the Japanese Rally Championship. This rally also counts for the New Zealand/Japan Challenge.

Competitors have until Friday May 13 to register for the Asia-Pacific Championship but already the field is looking very strong. Registrations have already been received from Chinese national rally champion, FAN Fan, Japan's most well known rally export - ARAI Toshihiro, former APRC champion, TAGUCHI Katsuhiko, two times New Zealand Champion Geof ARGYLE (NZ); ex Hyundai works driver Jussi VALIMAKI from Finland; Dermott MALLEY (NZ), and Chee Hong KAN (MAL). More entries Further registrations are expected before the May deadline.

Japanese multiple rally champion, NUTAHARA Fumio has chosen to defend contest his 2005 Japanese Championship title in 2005and so will be competing in the Japanese Rally Championship event that is to run concurrently. Both he and Toshi ARAI are also competing in the Production Car World Rally Championship, where ARAI is currently leading.

Organisers are waiting to hear from the FIA in regard to final confirmation of the itinerary before publication of the Supplementary Regulations in May.

Rally Hokkaido will take place within the sub-prefecture of Tokachi from July 22-24. The rally base will be at the Kibou Gaoka Rally Park, which is conveniently located close to the centre of Otofuke. Pre and post-rally scrutineering will take place at the Otofuke branch of Obihiro Mitsubishi, where the launch took place.

Current New Zealand/Japan Challenge points table
As of 10th April after round 1 Rally New Zealand

Place Competitor Nationality Points
1 Mark Tapper New Zealand 15
2 Hiroshi Yanagisawa Japan 13
3 Masahiro Nakajima Japan 11
4 Hideaki Ito Japan 10