Yukinori Taniguchi will make his return to the World Touring Car Championship at the wheel of the Wiechers-Sport BMW 320TC at Suzuka as regular driver Fredy Barth has other commitments.
‘Yuke’ as he is known has WTCC experience before as he has raced an N-Technology Honda Accord and bamboo engineering Chevrolet Lacetti before completing the 2011 campaign in a Chevrolet Cruze.
Suzuka was the venue for ‘Yuke’ best WTCC result as he finished seventh in the Chevrolet Cruze in 2011 and he heads into the weekend looking to repeat or better the result.
“I am extremely happy about my return to the FIA WTCC,” said the 44 year old. “The team has a lot of experience and together we try to achieve a good result. My goal is to get a second trophy to Japan!”
Wiechers-Sport took a race win in Japan last year as Italian Stefano d’Aste took his second victory of the season in the reverse grid race and the team took their first victory of the season in Argentina with Jose Maria Lopez.
“It’s great that we were able to sign up Yukinori Taniguchi for the race in Japan,” adds Team Manager Dominik Greiner.
“Yuke and I have known each other for several years and I am delighted that we now can work together. I’m sure he’s fine with our team and will harmonize. Yuke knows the track at Suzuka outstandingly well and will surely soon get used to the BMW 320 TC!” Greiner concluded.