Arai, Nikara and Aigner get IRC Subarus

17th January 2012

By Giles Wade

Subaru is set to support a three-car team in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2012 after confirming its registration as an official IRC manufacturer for a third season.

Andreas Aigner, Toshi Arai and Jarkko Nikara will all benefit from the Japanese make's support, although the exact schedules for all three have yet to be announced.

Arai, a long-term Subaru driver, won the inaugural IRC Production Cup in an Impreza R4 STI last season and confirmed in December that a title defence was highly likely.

Aigner, who won the 2008 Production Car world title, is a less obvious choice due to his previous relationship with Mitsubishi, not to mention his lack of competition experience in recent seasons as a result of funding issues. However, he remains highly rated and will be capable of taking the fight to Arai.

Nikara, meanwhile, has struggled to fund regular international outings since completing his stint as a Pirelli Star Driver in 2009 but impressed by leading the IRC Production Cup section on Rally of Scotland last term. He is supported by Yokohama, which helps fund Subaru's IRC effort.

The addition of Aigner, Arai and Nikara to the IRC line-up represents yet another boost for the series following confirmation of Hermann Gassner Jr's participation last week. Maxrally understands more high profile entries will be announced shortly, with two teams run by former world champions close to agreeing deals for 2012.

A source close to the IRC said: "All we know is that they will be very exciting additions to the IRC and won't be running Peugeots or Skodas."