Now available from HPI Racing is a 1/43 scale diecast replica of the #14 Subaru Impreza 2006 WRC driven in the WRC Rally Japan by Toshihiro Arai, hero of Japanese Subaru rally fans and home to Subaru. This version is packed with features that make it an exact replica of the historic Subaru Team Arai #14 car from the 2006 Rally Japan. It's stunningly replicated, complete with gravel-spec ride heights, wheels, and tires - right down to the reflective window tint required for the bright sun experienced in Rally Japan.

These precision diecast metal models are 1/43 scale, a convenient size for any desk or display case. Incredible attention has been paid to make the shape of cars as true to scale as possible. Fine exterior details like radiators, disc brakes, brake calipers, mirrors, wings, exhaust, headlight buckets, mirrors, tow hooks, radio antennae and sponsor logos combine to make the models extremely realistic. Each car has a fully painted and detailed interior, complete with a roll cage, racing seat, fire extinguisher, steering wheel, dashboard and even defroster lines in the rear window. These models come mounted to a display platform that includes a clear plastic protective case, and the car can be easily removed from the platform for individual display.

Remember, all of these fantastic recreations are made in limited quantities, once gone they will never be available again.

BACKGROUND HISTORY [#14 - Toshihiro Arai / Subaru Impreza WRC 2006 Japan]

When the World Rally Championship descended upon Hokkaido, Japan, for the eleventh round of the 2006 season, the Prodrive-built Subaru World Rally Team prepared cars for factory driver Petter Solberg and Australian gravel specialist Chris Atkinson.

The Prodrive team also brought a third car for leading Japanese rally driver Toshihiro Arai. Arai, the 2005 Production Car World Rally Champion, had been arranging the finances and logistics of running a car in his home country's biggest rally. Entered under the name Subaru Team Arai, Tony Sircombe of New Zealand, Arai's PCWRC co-driver since 2002, was enlisted to be his navigator in Rally Japan.

"This being my home rally, I believe I have the edge over the best drivers in the world," said Arai before the event. Arai had won the event in the previous three years in the Group N class. "Although I'll be up against Petter (Solberg), Sebastian (Loeb), Marcus (Gronholm), and Chris (Atkinson) there, I'm determined to show my true ability and get onto the podium."

Arai's race wasn't without incident, however, where he went off the road on SS16 after hitting a large rock. He later found out that in his off course excursion, he had hit a photographer, Naoki Kobayashi, who was a friend of his! Kobayashi was fine, however, and even sent a message to Arai to wish him continued luck on the rest of the rally! Arai went on to bring his Subaru home in respectable sixth place against the world's top rally drivers.

"Yes, we had a few problems, but I am pleased to get as good a finish as this as I had to learn the World Rally Car," said Arai after the end of the rally. "I feel that I know it quite well. I wanted to thank Subaru for this opportunity and hope maybe that we can do it again."