Imbil forest may be slippery

KATSU Taguchi says he's “a little worried” ahead of this weekend's International Rally of Queensland in the forests around Imbil.

Rally driver Katsu Taguchi says he’s “a little worried” ahead of this weekend’s rally in the forests around Imbil. He is pictured in action in his Mitsubishi Lancer. Picture: Contributed

KATSU Taguchi says he’s “a little worried” ahead of this weekend’s International Rally of Queensland in the forests around Imbil.

But it’s not because of the calibre of drivers he’s coming up against.

Taguchi, who was crowned champion of the 2010 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, isn’t keen on driving in the rain if the current weather sticks around.

“It’s raining, I’m a little worried,” Taguchi said yesterday while working on his Mitsubishi Evolution at Rydges Oasis Caloundra.

“I don’t like the rain.

“I’ve raced the last two rallies here and usually the first day is always raining and you’re doing reccy (reconnaissance) in the rain.

“Saturday usually rains too, but Sunday is usually good.

“If it’s raining the stages get very slippery.”

Taguchi and co-driver Mark Stacey finished third at last year’s event, which runs through the Imbil forestry in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Taguchi races for Team MRF and his team of mechanics are busy preparing the car for testing over the next couple of days.

The Japanese driver said he was looking for a good result on the weekend after not performing particularly well in the first round of the championship in Malaysia.

“The course is a fantastic course,” he said.

“It’s nice, smooth and (has) quite high speed sections. I love the stages here.

“We didn’t get a good result in Malaysia so we have to get the good points score here.

“The car needs some work but we will get out there soon.”

The cars will be in action for the public to see from Friday night at Caloundra for the Rally Shootout.

Tickets for the shootout can be purchased at the gate with the event moving to the Mary Valley forest on Saturday for the opening stages of the rally.

While the second leg of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship is the elite class of the weekend, the rally also sees the second round of the Australian Rally Championship.

Originally published as Imbil forest may be slippery