Yamano recollects: "With a wide range of experience as a development driver for a tire manufacturer, I felt I understood SUBARU's passion towards motorsport and their view on the development of commercial vehicles. "I've always made it my policy to race in cars that are currently available commercially. As a racing driver, nothing makes me happier than seeing commercially-available automobiles getting better and better through the development that motorsport demands. Afterwards, Yamano attended a talk show with Hideharu Tatsumi, STI's chassis development chief, to deepen their mutual passion. "As a racer, I want to be able to control the car exactly the way I like - and I always want to be able to follow my instinct. This is actually the exact same thing Tatsumi-san is trying to accomplish as a developer - to make a car that anybody can drive well. Racing cars and road cars are inherently different; but both SUBARU and I are gunning towards the ideals of unifying the driver and the machine. It would be amazing if this were to eventually come true." In 2007, as a championship title-holder, Yamano and the Impreza endured a tough year. However, he had no doubts about his desire to compete with the Impreza again in 2008. "I haven't yet been able to get the most out of the AWD system on the Impreza racing car yet." Yamano comments grinning widely - showing all his pearly whites as he relays that his eternal goal is to continue again this year. Tetsuya Yamano was a champion for three consecutive years since 2004 in the most challenging class (GT300) of Japan's most popular motorsport series, SUPER GT. Not only that, he scored his trio of titles in cars from three different manufacturers! Yamano has also scored a record 13 championships in the All-Japan Gymkhana to date. Japan's driving master has been competing in the Impreza at CUSCO Racing since 2007, striking fear into the hearts of his rivals. Yamano's Impreza is the only car in the field to adopt an AWD (All-wheel-drive) system. Born in Tokyo, Yamano was one of those typical "car maniacs." As soon as he graduated from high school, he moved to America because of his father's business. "I got my four-wheeled vehicle license the minute I turned 16. Also, it became my duty - not to mention the best part of the day - when I had to put my father's car in the garage every afternoon. It's so much fun to be able to park a car with just enough space between it and the wall the put a sheet of paper through. Since around this time, maneuvering cars the way I wanted became my ultimate theme. "I gradually started spending more time with my beloved cars, my speed increased, and the next thing I knew, I was a racing driver! But seriously, I just love driving cars. Parking at 5kph is the same as racing at 250kph. "Racing is an extension of my love of driving." This may be where Yamano's roots originate. "Winning the championship isn't actually my ultimate goal. I always want to challenge myself; that's why I really wanted to drive the racing Impreza."