The latest news from Malaysian as the drivers and crews get ready for the opening round of the 2010 APRC.

The volcano in Iceland has even effected the Malaysian Rally this weekend with Katsu Taguchi’s new co-driver Chris Murphy stuck in London, therefore Mark Stacey has been called in at the last minute.

Taguchi is in a an Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 this year, but its not a new car, in fact it is one of the first built and used by Katsu at the 2008 Rally of Japan. Of course the car has been updated with all the latest modes by RaceTorque.

The Protons were thought to be running on Yokohama tyres, but they’ve turned up on BF Goodrich rubber. Some extensive development has gone on over the winter, with strengthened sump guards, a bigger and and stronger sump, that will help the cars stay cool and dampen engine vibration.

The Malaysian weather is as usual hot and humid, thunder, lightning and heavy rain most afternoons. Mud tyres anyone???