Jussi Välimäki from Finland driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8, prepared by Race Torque Engineering finished 2nd in the 3rd round of the APRC in New Zealand even though it was a technically difficult event, made even harder by the wintery wet conditions.
Arai and his co-driver Tony Sircombe, the current leaders of the FIA World Production Car Championship (PWRC) are also competing in the 2005 APRC and after two rounds had no points and a good result on Rally of Rotorua was essential if the Arai and his team was to maintain any hope of taking the title.
Championship leader Jussi Välimäki has a comfortable points lead after New Zealand with 43 followed by Argyle on 25 and Arai on 16. For Jussi Välimäki this event was all about maintaining the championship lead. After the first 14 kilometer stage he led the event by 0.1 seconds from Arai, but decided the pace was too hot to maintain “we proved we could be on the pace, but it was too risky. It was better to get points for the APRC series, that’s our priority so we backed off” said Välimäki at the end of Leg 1.
For Välimäki team-mate Katsuhiko Taguchi, just making the finish was the goal. After two non-finishes from two events it was time to get some points and re-build confidence. Taguchi was very happy at the finish “We had a huge spin on the last stage, and I thought a number of times it was all over – again! but we are here and 3rd is good. Next is Hokkaido my home event”.