Cusco Racing Japan invited New Zealander Mike Young to drive their new development AP4 car, a Toyota Vitz at Septembers APRC Rally Hokkaido.
Young and co-driver Malcolm Read had two days of testing and everything went according to plan, with both car and driver performing well.
After the night-time opening stage and Stage 2 spectator stage near the town of Rikubetsu , Young was 5th overall behind the R5 Skoda's and Mitsubishi.
However four kilometres into the super-fast Kunneywa forest stage the Toyota lost power, Young having no option other than pulling over and retiring.
The Cusco team engineers worked through the night to try and rectify the fault, however the team where unable to repair the car in time for Sunday's restart.
A video of the team and Toyota Vitz in action at 2017 APRC Rally Hokkaido can be viewed HERE.
Young's next event will be the WRC Rally of Australia (18-20 November), where he will drive a Citroen DS3, followed a week later by the APRC India Rally where the kiwi will drive an R2 Polo for Volkswagen India.
