Reigning Asia Pacific Production Cup Champions, EZY Racing and their International Motor Racing Technical Partner, Cusco, released images of their 2016 Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) contending car recently.
EZY Racing who is renowned to have their traditional black and red livery, will be moving to a brand new design that will be white and red, strengthening their partnership with Cusco. The move thereby signifies it as a Cusco factory recognized affiliation compared to the customer car livery that was displayed last year.
The white and red car that will be seen for the first time in EZY Racing livery in New Zealand later this month, will be an upgraded and lighter version of the Subaru WRX that was driven by Mike Young in 2015.
Japan based Cusco Racing, who engineered a brilliant car to provide EZY Racing their maiden championship in just their second year of International Motor Sports have developed a much lighter and upgraded car to give Mike Young, EZY Racing’s International Race Driver, a fair shot of challenging the much faster MRF SKODA Team when the APR Championship kicks off with Rally Whangarei in New Zealand, on the 29th of April.
The Cusco EZY Racing team who threw a serious challenge to the purpose built, much faster and lighter MRF Skoda cars in 2015, through a brilliant display of driver and machine combination have taken a fresh approach for the 2016 Championship, which saw the SKODA team releasing the SKODA Fabia R5 in China last year.
“In China, it was evident that R5’s had much more pace that would get demonstrated this season. We compete on a standard production car with limited modifications compared to the front running cars. Therefore, there is a limitation to what you can do. Cusco have taken a fresh approach in building a different car for Mike this season. We saw how competitive Mike could be with the big boys last year and it was really encouraging” said Shafraz Hamzadeen, the Founder CEO of EZY Racing.
“In comparison to the front runners we are on a limited budget. The fact that we finished ranked 2nd at the Asia Pacific Rally Championship and were Champions of the Production Cup is phenomenal. The wonderful part about our partnership with Cusco is they continuously look at how we could push the boundaries as a team to achieve great results. They have started with a fresh approach – a lighter car for Mike. We are hopeful that we could fight for a podium finish in our first Rally in New Zealand” said the Founder of Sri Lanka’s only International Motor Racing Team.
22 year old Multiple Production Cup and Junior APRC Champion, Young who made his debut in the faster 4WD category last year, made an impressive debut in his home Rally in New Zealand when he lead MRF SKODA driver and 2013 APRC Champion, Gaurav Gill, all the way up to the last corner of the last stage before conceding his 2nd place to provide EZY Racing its maiden podium in International Motor Sports. Young, who has since developed himself to a serious contender in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, completed the 2015 season with a series of stunning drives which defined him as a driver who is capable of fitting into the big shoes.
Young who has spent the offseason preparing for 2016 has focused particularly on improved fitness and muscle mass to be able to develop the required stamina to fight out grueling conditions.
“It is going to be tough going up against the Skoda in their new R5 car but we are ready for the challenge and look forward to the battle ahead. With the rally season about to hit for speed in the next week or so I have been busy preparing myself for it. It’s been five months since Rally China and that has given me plenty of time to make some gains behind the scenes. I have been working hard on my fitness with gym sessions every week. I’m hoping the strength and conditioning sessions will really benefit me in the tough Asia Pacific Rally Championship this year, as fitness is the key in the slow and twisty long stages. The fitness and the mental skills training will really help cope with the long days and then concentrate when it matters.”
Sharing his thoughts on this years’ champion car, Mike said “I’m really happy we are still in a Cusco prepared Subaru WRX Rally car powered by EZY Racing for 2016. We are moving to a new and lighter Subaru that both Malcolm (Read), my co-driver and I, are really looking forward to rallying in. With the new white livery I am now classed as an ace or factory driver. I consider it a great honor after being with Cusco for five years. Year on year they have prepared great cars and this year I’m sure it will be no different. Added to this EZY Racing’s support gives me the confidence I need to go into this years’ season. The influence they have had in me continuously pushing myself to provide great results has been immense.”
The 8 month long Asia Pacific Rally Championship season kicks off in New Zealand, before heading to Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia and then to India in December. EZY Racing, who have based themselves as the primary Motor Racing Team in Sri Lanka, will be seeking to further their International success, this year in APRC.
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