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Rally star Toshi Arai to race for Chevrolet in Suzuka World Touring Car event

Rally star Toshi Arai will make his circuit racing debut in a fourth works Chevrolet in the World Touring Car Championship's Suzuka rounds on 23 October

The 45-year-old Japanese driver is a double champion in the World Rally Championship's Production class, and regarded as one of his nation's greatest ever rally drivers. He is contesting a partial Intercontinental Rally Challenge programme this year.

Arai tested the Chevrolet at Pembrey in Wales last week, and believes the switch from Group N rallying to the WTCC is a manageable step.

"I was extremely pleased with the test," said Arai. "The Cruze is pleasant to drive and very responsive, and the team extremely professional.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to race my home WTCC event and to do it with Chevrolet. This will be a new experience for me, but the philosophy of WTCC and WRC Production cars is the same and I hope I can adapt quickly.

"To debut in the WTCC with the Cruze and the reigning world champion team is the best proposition one could dream of."

Arai's Suzuka outing will be the second time this season that Chevrolet has added a fourth car for a local star alongside team regulars Yvan Muller, Rob Huff and Alain Menu. Brazilian touring car ace Caca Bueno joined the team for the Curitiba season-opener earlier this year.

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