Yuya Sumiyama from Japan driving a Cusco Subaru Impreza heads a new line-up of drivers that will join the Asia Pacific Rally Championship in Malaysia, all competing for the Asia Cup.

Sumiyama won the Asia Cup in 2010, again in 2012 and is looking for a 3rd title this year. It will make up for some bitter bad luck in 2013 when a third title was looking likely, only to have gearbox failure on the final day of Thailand Rally.

Cusco team-mate Mike Young went on to win the Asia Cup in 2013, however the New Zealander is not a contender this year having entered the Pacific Cup where he eventually finishing 2nd to Jan Kopecky.

Cusco’s Team Principal Tsutomu Nagase emphasised the importance of the Asia Cup, “Cusco’s focus in 2014 is to retain the APRC Asia Cup, a title our team has won for the past four years. Sumiyama won the cup for us in 2010 and 2012 and is determined to keep it in the Cusco family – we also have a second opportunity this

year with customer driver Sanjay Takale also entered in the Asia Cup title race. We wish both drivers Good Luck ’ .

There’s some strong competition in the Asia Cup this year with seven drivers going for the title including current APRC Driver champion Gaurav Gill also entered in his S2000 MRF Skoda.