Subaru confirms IRC schedules for Aigner, Nikara

Subaru has confirmed the events Andreas Aigner and Jarkko Nikara will contest in this year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Aigner, from Austria, will compete for the Stohl Racing team on Tour de Corse, GEKO Ypres Rally, Sibiu Rally Romania, Barum Czech Rally Zlín and the Cyprus Rally.

The 27-year-old’s Subaru Impreza R4-specification WRX STI will use Michelin tyres and the former Production Car world rally champion will be among the favourites for this year’s IRC Production Cup title.

Nikara, 25, will tackle Tour de Corse, Rally San Marino, Rallye Sanremo and the Cyprus Rally in a Tommi Mäkinen Racing-prepared Impreza running on Yokohama tyres.

The rising star from Finland is one of the sport’s brightest prospects and clinched the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out Trophy on last year’s RACMSA Rally of Scotland.

Legendary Japanese driver Toshi Arai (pictured on last year’s Tour de Corse) will also compete in a Subaru-supported Impreza as he bids for back-to-back IRC Production Cup titles. Currently Arai’s schedule for 2012 remains unannounced.

A statement from Subaru’s competition arm STI read: “With these three drivers Subaru will be looking to achieve good results in the 2012 IRC and aiming to prove the competitive edge of the Subaru WRX STI to motorsport competitors around the world.”

Source: IRCseries.com