Second WRC-assignment for Claudiu David/Mihaela Belide from Romania Goal is to learn and show their potential by achieving fast times
After a WRC-break of almost one month the OMV BIXXOL Rally Team is back in action at the “Rally Japan”. This time around the Romanian pair Claudiu David and Mihaela Belide will take their place behind the steering wheel of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. Even though there are no points to score for the FIA Production-Car World Rally Championship this time it will still be a litmus test for Claudiu David at his second assignment. One he plans to pass better than his premiere.
International comparison
In Argentina (beginning of May) the OMV BIXXOL Rally Team with Claudiu David celebrated its WRC-premiere. After a very good beginning the 28-year-old Romanian finally finished the rally in 22nd place in the group N ranking. Just like then learning and gathering experience will also be paramount at the Rally Japan. David: „We’re not eligible to score points for the P-Car WRC this time. But that is no problem since we mainly want to learn and seek the international comparison at our second assignment. Therefore our tactic is to gather as many race kilometres as possible. Everything is new to us. From the recce to the race. But it still is an attractive challenge. “ Claudiu David and Mihaela Belide will, within the OMV BIXXOL Rally Team, also take part in the WRC finale in Wales where they then will fight for points, as well.
350 special stage kilometres on 27 special stages
The Rally Japan will commence on Friday (October 26) in Obihiro/Hokkaido at 06.00 (local time). 27 special stages with an overall length of 350,19 kilometres are scheduled from Friday to Sunday (October 26 – 28). The overall length measures exactly 1.575,79 kilometres. The finish line will be crossed on Sunday (October 28) at 15.00 (local time) in Obihiro.
This is Japan
Area: 377.835 sq km; Population: 128.389.000 inhabitants; Population density: 340 people per sq km; Capital: Tokyo (8.372.440 inhabitants); Japan is 160 km removed from the Asiatic mainland and consists of four main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu). Japan has been an empire since at least 660 B. C. and has been a parliamentary monarchy since 1947. There are 200 volcanoes in Japan, 36 of which have been still active during the last 100 years.
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