Reigning Production Car World Rally champion, Toshi Arai hit a photographer on the second leg of the Rally Japan on Saturday, but thankfully the man, who is a friend of the Japanese driver, was not seriously injured.
The incident occurred in the afternoon, on the fourth run through the 2.73 kilometre Rikubetsu stage [SS16], when Arai hit a large rock in his car and bounced off the road and into some trees.
Instinctively, he got his Impreza straight back on the road and completed the stage but he dropped behind his
Subaru team-mate,
Petter Solberg as a result.
Unbeknown to him, he also collected a photographer in the incident and although the 'snapper' needed treatment for a leg injury, he sent a message back to Arai telling him to continue and wishing him luck!
"I had a big moment today when I hit a very, very big rock and went off the road on SS16. We got back on the road and continued but after I found out that I hit a photographer, a friend of mine, Naoki Kobayashi. He was okay and even sent me a message to say good luck and continue," said Arai. "I hope to see him out on the stages again very soon..."
For the record, Arai ended the day in eighth place overall, poised to pick up the final drivers' point – around a minute or so off Solberg and a similar margin up on Luis-Perez Companc, who is ninth in his
Stobart VK Ford Focus.
