Toyo Tire’s Open Country SUV tires helped the Japanese motorsport team, Wisteria, secure the XC-2S class victory at the third round of the XCR Sprint Cup Series on June 13, 2026, competing in a Subaru Forester.
Revived in 2022, the XCR Sprint Cup is a cross-country rally championship for off-road vehicles. Previously held only in Hokkaido, the series expanded to Honshu in 2026 following growing participation and national interest.
In the race, adaptability to the varied surfaces, especially on narrow forest roads, is crucial. In addition to the unique friction changes of rough unpaved roads, precise line setting and stable traction performance on narrow, technical sections will determine the outcome. Therefore, tires require high handling stability, durability and driving force.
After winning the XC-3 class championship in 2025, Wisteria with Toyo Tires moved up to the XC-2S class in 2026 with a new Subaru Forester. The team won its class in the third round, extending its winning streak to three consecutive races.
In the XC-3 class, the Highbridge First with Toyo Tires achieved a one-two finish, taking first and second place.
XC-2S class winning driver Hideyuki Fujino said, “Thanks to the cooperation of Toyo Tires and everyone involved, we were able to successfully compete in the XC-2S class with the new Forester. Despite the heavy rain, Open Country performed well and was able to finish and win, which makes us very happy.
Co-driver Shina Tamaki added, “Since the new vehicle behaves differently from before, I was worried about navigation. Although it was a grueling race with many cars retired, Open Country was stable in both durability and grip, and I truly feel it led to the finish.”
The Open Country series is Toyo Tire’s flagship SUV tire range. Developed and proven in international motorsport, the tires are designed for high durability, cut and chip resistance and strong all-terrain performance. The series is also recognized for its aggressive tread design, with select models in Japan featuring white-letter sidewalls that highlight the product and brand names.
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