2NR: What's your most memorable rally moment?FY: The most memorable was the Safari Rally. I took the championship in 1995 with my Toyota Celica AllTrac. Memorable in a sense that it was one of the toughest events I have ever experienced mentally and physically.
2NR: What does it take to endure the rally world?FY: I had a physical trainer who put me on a calcium supplement diet, made me do numerous calisthenics and jog six miles a day. And, of course, no smoking or drinking.
2NR: What about the mental aspects?FY: Zen became a part of life as well as getting plenty of sleep-a minimum of eight hours a day. Most importantly, before any rally we weren't allowed to eat meat. If you eat meats or solid foods the stomach is working hard to digest it during the night, and it increases your pulse and blood pressure. As a result, the body is unable to fall into a deep sleep, ultimately affecting your concentration level the next day. You have to be fully aware of what the co-driver is saying. If anyone has rallied before or watched rallying they understand how fast the co-driver talks.
2NR: We've all heard rally lingo, but we don't have the slightest idea what it means. Can you break it down for us?FY: The pace notes have two systems: a number system and a word system. I use the number system going from one to eight. Eight is a very slight bend in the road and one is a tight hairpin turn. The word portion references how long the corner is. So if I say, "100, six right," it means the corner is 100 meters long and the degree of turn is a rating of six to the right.
2NR: So if you were a co-pilot and had to describe the D1 course at Irwindale, Calif., how would you put it in rally terms?FY: Beginning at the sweeper I would say, "Six left very, very long; camber; tighten five; 50; seven right; 80, five left long; tighten four; tighten three; and three right.
2NR: You've watched TEIN grow from a two-man business to a multi-million-dollar industry. Did you ever think it would have grown to this proportion?FY: No. We just wanted to organize and build a rally team when we first began. This is a true blessing. One day we'd like to be the largest aftermarket suspension company in the world.
2NR: What new products are in the works?FY: We have something new and exciting, but I can't say much about it. All I can tell you is you will have ability to change more suspension settings from the cabin.
2NR: Well, we look forward to the debut of your products, and I thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to conduct this interview.FY: You are very welcome.