Drivers: Toshi Arai (Subaru), Martin Prokop (Mitsubishi)


Press conference:

Q:
Toshi, you've won this event in the past and you know what it takes to win. Is it possible to do it this weekend? We haven't seen you on the top step for quite some time.

Toshi Arai:
I hope to win but it's been so rough this year, not so easy to win.

Q:
You have had quite bad luck recently, but tell me about the development of the car, because we are seeing steps forward. Are you happy with the way things are going?

TA:
Yes, because now the car has quite big improvements. Because the engine management and the suspension are quite good so I am quite confident now.

Q:
You had a test at the start of the week. How did that go?

TA:
The road was tough, the suspension travel and traction is good, everything is fine.

Q:
Aaron told us a little bit of the stages and one thing you didn't mention are the water splashes that we have here, which can cause some difficulties for the drivers. What are they like?

TA:
I have much experience for the water splashes. I have broken the engine, I have broken everything, so I am very careful in the water splashes!

Q:
You've got the most experience out of this panel here. You've seen what it is like on the stages with regard to the fans and people who are so passionate. What is it like out there?

TA:
Every spectator is very excited and sometimes too much excited! But it is very good for the driver and the team.

Q:
Martin, in contrast to Toshi you've had a fantastic start in both the Junior and Production Championships. Is it your best start to a season to date?

Martin Prokop:
For sure, it's my best start to a season so far. But I am not too surprised, because I felt that it's possible to be on the podium almost every race last year, but we had too many problems with the car. So this year with no troubles, almost no troubles - just a small one - the results are coming and it's much better than last year.

Q:
You also tested on Monday as well, everything go well?

MP:
Yes. We were trying some special things for this rally because it's a little bit different because of big rocks inside the roads, so you have to change the set up but everything was going very well, and I think we are ready.

Q:
What's your opinion of the stages here?

MP: