Toshiro Arai, a member of the Subaru World Rally Team, piloted his Impreza WRC2001 to victory in the 19th Spike International Japanese Alpine Rally, held May 19 - 20, the first FIA sanctioned rally in Japan.

Temperamental weather on the first day was replaced by warm weather and blue skies on the second day. Despite transmission trouble, Arai set top time on ten of the twelve special stages, finishing 2 minutes and 8 seconds ahead of the second-place driver.

"I am very happy and proud to win our first international rally-everyone said we would win, so I am glad we have managed to do it!" Arai said. "The organization has been good, everything has run very well, and I think the future for international rallying in Japan is positive. Hopefully we can now make an even better rally for inclusion in the World Rally Championship."