French driver Johan Heloise could contest more rounds of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2012 – if plans to drive an R4-specification Subaru Impreza reach fruition.

Heloise, who will be co-driven by countryman Thibault Gorczyca in his Top Run Motorsport Subaru Impreza WRX STI N12 on Rallye Sanremo from 22-24 September, is working on a deal to remain with the Italian squad next season, albeit at the wheel of one of the Japanese company’s upgraded Imprezas.

“The plan of Top Run in the near future in combination with Heloise is to make a deal to [run] the new model Impreza in 2012,” said a Top Run spokesperson.

Heloise is tackling his third IRC event in succession in Sanremo having competed on Barum Czech Rally Zlin in August and the Canon Mecsek Rallye in Hungary earlier this month under the guidance of engineer Alfonso Agnello. He starts the Italian event with the sole aiming of reaching the finish.

Eurosport