However, on the international rallying scene there was an abundance of veterans with far more experience than.Arai The hitherto invincible All-Japan rallying king soon noticed that his scope was limited. World Rally cars didn't behave as Toshi had expected, and although he had been appointed as a SUBARU works driver, he felt that without results, he'd soon be sent packing, with the words "Go back to Japan."Naturally, he felt a sense of setback, and the thought "Should I go back to Gunma and become a regular worker?" crossed his mind. However, whenever Arai returned home, the SUBARU engineers eagerly asked many details about the rally car, including its appearance, and this stirred Toshi on every time. "Over the last five years especially, my work has consisted of competing in the P-WRC in a mass-produced car. It is with people who seriously examine design changes of mass produced cars; and if something is necessary on the Impreza, or something needs to be reinforced, it is done. Their sincere goal of making SUBARU the best car in the world is a matter of life and death to them. Such an attitude is something for which I have great admiration. When I lose, I really have to apologise to them. Do I also have pride as a representative of SUBARU, and would I not exist without it if I didn't? Arai continues, saying that: "When I became world champion, they were as pleased as me. And they are sincerely proud of the Impreza, the car they are making, of course. It is wonderful to be a part of such feelings. Therefore, I also believe in myself, I am very positive anyway, and any success I have is repaying the kindness to them." Just before Arai was called up on stage for his FIA victory ceremony, F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) and four-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb (France) were presented with their awards. It shows just how highly the P-WRC is evaluated. Arai is aiming at taking his third world championship title in the new Impreza in 2008. December 7, 2007: Toshihiro Arai arrived in Monaco, facing the Azure Mediterranean Sea. The purpose was to attend the FIA gala party as champion of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship (P-WRC) in 2007. This is a special victory ceremony for champions of the various FIA-governed world championships including F1, WRC, P-WRC, J-WRC (Junior championship) and WTCC (World Touring Car Championship). Only the champions of these prestigious championships are invited. The people who attend are required to dress formally, or wear traditional clothes of that individual's home country. This was the second time that Arai attended this victory ceremony. After winning the P-WRC title for the first time in 2005, he was invited as the first-ever Japanese FIA world champion. Lodging was at the remarkable 'Hotel de Paris', located adjacent to the famous casino in the centre of Monaco. The hotel ushers wore solemn bow ties, and as soon as one entered, greeted invitees with the words "Welcome champion" in what was a deeply moving experience. It has been a long and hard road throughout his rallying career before Japanese ace Toshi Arai was finally able to climb the victory stage as best in the world. Upon graduation from Gunma University, Toshi could have chosen to take the normal path and work for a company as a businessman, leading a comfortable and regular life as a typical member of society. However, he made the decision to become a rally driver at the same time as his graduation. Rallying originally started out as a hobby; though the skill he had shown in other sport such as baseball and skiing quickly became apparent behind the wheel. At that time, he had a wealth of role models to learn from in his area. Also, the place where he grew up in Gunma Prefecture, Japan's 'Rally Kingdom', with its abundance of forest stages, was perfect for the budding talent. But more than anything else, it was Arai's unflinchingly strong ambition that placed him above the rest. While working as an assistant to a signmaking artisan, Arai polished his talent as he waited for his chance to challenge the world stage. SUBARU, who were aiming for the title in the All-Japan Rally Championship in 1992 with their newly released Impreza, decided on Arai as a suitable driver for their campaign. A new road of opportunity opened up for Arai with the Impreza, and he more than met their expectations in the All-Japan championship. After that, he passed the driver appointment program, becoming the first-ever Japanese driver in the SUBARU World Rally Team. He went alone like a warrior to the home of rallying, Great Britain to further perfect his skills.