Tomohide Hasegawa is back to take up the Asia Cup challenge and this year the Japanese driver has teamed up with multiple Japanese rally champion Fumio Nutahara.

“I feel very confident this year especially with Nutahara-san in the co-drivers seat to guide me through the many different events we will compete in. Malaysia is the first challenge, its so hot and the roads very narrow” said Hasegawa who will drive the Hasepro Mitsubishi Evo 10.

“This year I definitely must win the Asia Cup title, it will be my 5th attempt and we’ve come close on a few occasions – this is my year!”

Hasegawa has been a regular rally competitor since 2008, when he entered WRC Rally Japan. In 2009 Hasegawa entered the APRC for this time with events in China and Japan, since then he’s been a regular competitor in the APRC’s Asia Cup.