DENSO and Toyota Romania team up again to tackle the 2024 Romanian Rally Championship
As well as being a leading original equipment (OE) manufacturer to vehicle makers around the world, DENSO has a comprehensive aftermarket programme and is a significant replacement parts supplier in Romania, which is how DENSO Romania’s sales executive, Claudiu Teris, met rally driver and garage owner, Catalin Ienasel.
On a visit to his garage, Ice Team, in Brasov, in 2022, Catalin asked whether DENSO would consider supporting him in his efforts to compete in the second league of the Romanian Rally Championship, driving a MINI, with co-pilot Adrian.
DENSO is a recognised brand on the international motorsport stage, enjoying great success over many years partnered with Toyota GAZOO Racing, in both the World Endurance and World Rally championships, so to be able to support an up and coming driver, who clearly had the talent, made sense for both DENSO’s brand exposure in Romania and to demonstrate the importance it puts in positive relationships it has with the installers of its OE replacement parts.
With renewed enthusiasm and DENSO’s support, Catalin and Adrian proved their worth and at the end of the season they were crowned the overall winners for their category in the league two championship, a great success that lead to even greater things!
Buoyed by their results and with aspirations to climb the rally hierarchy, Catalin decided to both upgrade his car, so purchased a Toyota Yaris GR, and move up to the top rung of the championship and compete in league one in 2023. This bold move drew the attention of Toyota Bucuresti Nord, a subsidiary of Toyota Romania, who recognised the pair’s ambition and so lent its considerable support.
And the final result of this formidable partnership brought another category championship for Catalin and Adrian, and justification for the support afforded by the DENSO and Toyota Bucuresti combination!
This brings us up to date, and to the eve of the 2024 Romanian Rally Championship, when Catalin, DENSO and Toyota Bucuresti have announced that they have extended their partnership for another season, with the goal of elevating Catalin and Adrian to become multiple champions.
The commitment from every side is evidenced by the fact that Catalin has purchased two of the latest version of the legendary Yaris GR and, resplendent in their DENSO and Toyota Bucuresti livery and demonstrating the two companies continuing support for the team mates, they were unveiled in the dealership, at a recent launch.
DENSO Aftermarket Europe naturally wishes Catalin and Adrian great success as they begin the demanding nine round championship campaign, and look forward with anticipation and in the hope that they can congratulate them as champions at once again, at the end of the season.
For further details of the
DENSO Aftermarket programme, please visit: https://www.denso-am.eu.