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| Suzuki
Geared up for Thai Challenge |
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| 29 Nov 2002 |
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| Nobuhiro "monster" Tajima |
Despite needing only to cross the start ramp to confirm his victory in the 2002 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship 2-litre Cup, Suzuki Sport driver Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima has set himself some big targets for this weekend's International Rally of Thailand.
"My aim is to finish this year's championship by doing far more than simply start the final round here in Thailand," say Tajima, who will drive a two-wheel-drive Suzuki Ignis Super 1600 car. "I want to win my class on the rally, and am also hoping for a top five result overall.
The Japanese driver, whose Suzuki Sport company is contracted to undertake Suzuki's motor racing activities, says he has made few changes to the car since his last championship appearance, which was on his home event in Japan.
"Mainly it has been a case of some fine tuning," he explains. "Although we are learning all the time from Suzuki's junior world championship programme with the Ignis Super 1600."
Tajima, the defending Asia-Pacific 2-litre champion, has been seeded sixth overall for the Rally of Thailand, and first of the six two-wheel-drive cars taking part. He won his class on the event last year.
The rally will be run in Royong Province, 180 kilometres south east of Bangkok, and is scheduled to comprise 16 stages totalling some 260 kilometres. The first of the stages will be held today (Friday), and the event concludes on Sunday afternoon local time
The next report from the Rally of Thailand will appear on this
site after the finish of the event.
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