General News
4 August 2006

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At the end of July, tarmac specialist and SWRT driver Stéphane Sarrazin went straight from New Tokyo International Airport to the circuit hotel at Twin Ring Motegi, in the Yamanaka region of Tochigi prefecture. He was there to participate in a GT300 IMPREZA development test for CUSCO Racing, held on the following two days, July 27th and 28th.

In addition, Stéphane took also part in the 'SUBARU WRC FESTA in HOKURIKU', held in Toyama on July 29th. The hectic schedule would have made Petter or Chris faint. But it's all part of the destiny of today's WRC drivers.

July 27th saw Stéphane take part in the development test of a GT300 racing car, after which he drove the comparatively short distance of 40 kilometres to FHI Ltd Aerospace company alongside Manufacturer Principle Toshi Azuma. It was here he learned that SUBARU is not just about cars - that its origin comes from aviation and aerospace , and in addition to that with a commitment to Eco technology now.

The on-site runway, along with the tidy arrangement of the aero plane and helicopter assembly plants and cluster of storage warehouses impressed Stéphane.

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Also impressive were the taxiway and the helicopter airfield connected to the maintenance shop as they came into view when entering the site from the south side.

Adjacent to the sprawling FHI facility is the Ground Self-Defense Force flying force education centre. While bureaucrats and the people exchange their opinions, aircraft production continues.

In actual fact, due to trouble with the development test on the race car and getting caught in local traffic, the day's schedule went quickly into total disarray and Stéphane arrived at the Utsunomiya facility some 90 minutes behind schedule. Still, many employees who had been waiting patiently welcomed Stéphane's arrival in a warm and courteous manner.

Stéphane was invited to the aircraft parking apron and appeared genuinely moved to see the name 'Stéphane Sarrazin' emblazoned across the fuselage of one of the planes.

In response to employees' demands, he sat in the cockpit of one plane, speaking through the intercom, while trying on the period headset and helmet, much to the delight of the FHI staff, many of whom took commemorative pictures.

Afterwards, with only a little time remaining, he visited the helicopter assembly plant, taking a concentrated look at a machine in for maintenance.

Stéphane Sarrazin : "I've heard that Petter's never even been here yet. I also learned about the roots of SUBARU, and I've had a very enjoyable time. When Petter hears that I've been here before him, it will drive him mad!" he commented.

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Moving to an event hall afterwards, approximately 300 people (nearly 10% of the 2,600 total workforce at the factory) waited for Stéphane. He apologised once more for being late because of his concerted participation in the development test, and was again moved by the warm welcome and applause he received.

In the talk show with SWRT's Toshi Azuma, they spoke about F1, WRC and the changing situation facing SWRT, as well as the process by which they are improving the Impreza WRC 2006. The participants nodded in unison, agreeing with Stéphane's comments. Then an autograph session and draw of SWRT goods was held, with Stéphane and the members taking the full opportunity to foster closer relationships. Stéphane's visit to the FHI Ltd Aerospace company concluded with a group commemorative photo, featuring everybody present that day.

One thing Stéphane had to deal with was having a meal together with all the employees in the FHI cafeteria, a Japanese restaurant. Stéphane, a native of the gourmet nation of France, was quickly devouring slices of raw fish, boiled food, and items such as char-broiled fish, handling his food very well - and using chopsticks skillfully!

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He questioned the principle of how planes actually fly, and what the design limits were for planes, and appeared intently interested in the answers to his queries.

It is a basic philosophy of Fuji Heavy Industries to pursue the technology of 'Active Safety', a philosophy that positively impacts safety in the most productive way. 'Passive Safety' is designed to minimize damage after an aircraft encounters danger. You can see these principles at work in SUBARU cars, too.

Stéphane spoke about his hero, former F1 champion Alain Prost, and about his own father, whom he told the assembled guests, had owned a Legacy wagon fo
r the past 20 years, but through Stéphane's influence, has switched to a five-door Impreza.

Stéphane was given an encouraging send-off, the employees all shouting: "Please become World Rally Champion by all means in the near future" to end a thoroughly enjoyable day in Utsunomiya.