Subaru UK choses Toyo

Toyo has been chosen by Subaru UK to support its 2013 charity fund raising programme at many of the UK’s biggest car shows.

The deal sees Toyo supplying its much-vaunted R888 road legal semi-slick tyre for use on a track-prepared WRX STi being run by Subaru’s Pro-R accessory division at Japfest, Japfest 2 and Trax shows this season.

At each show, high speed passenger rides are exchanged for those making a £30 donation to Subaru’s chosen charity, the Household Cavalry Foundation. On the first outing – Japfest, at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire – the team managed to raise in excess of £1,000, with the car lapping almost non-stop all day. A testament to the durability of car and driver and of course, the fabled abilities of the Proxes R888!

Despite the car having ‘only’ 340 bhp, much less than many of the other cars being driven at the circuit, the Subaru proved to be by far one of the fastest vehicles lapping the circuit all day. Partly down to the skills of professional driver Jason Sharpe, of course, but as the man himself puts it, the tyre itself played a huge part in the success of the day. ‘The R888 is perfect for this kind of work as it gives superb dry grip, is very responsive and lasts well. It’s a great tyre on a damp or wet track too, so we don’t need to swap the tyres if conditions change. Despite sliding the car around all day, the tyres have lasted well and been totally consistent, which makes my job so much easier – and safer!’