The first day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Nikolay Gryazin leads WRC2 after the day.
Shakedown
WRC2 champion Andreas Mikkelsen topped the shakedown stage for the WRC2 class. Posting a time 1.7 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin. Heikki Kovalanen finished third fastest, 0.4 seconds slower than Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetanowicz set the fourth fastest time on the shakedown stage, 2.3 seconds slower than Kovalanen. Daniel Chwist rounded out the top five, 4.3 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SSS1, Toyota Stadium
Nikolay Gryazin took the win on the first stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Setting a time 1.3 seconds faster than Mikkelsen. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Heikki Kovalanen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Daniel Chwist rounded out the top five on the opening stage, 4.6 seconds slower than Kovalanen.
What To Expect From Forum8 Rally Japan Day Two
The second day of Forum8 Rally Japan will see drivers contest seven special stages, totalling to 133.26 km. This includes two loops of three stages totalling to 65.58 km each loop. The seventh stage will be the SuperSpecial stage at the Toyota Stadium. The same stage ran today. Drivers will have a service at the end of each loop.
Short Entry List For WRC2 For Forum8 Rally Japan
Forum8 Rally Japan will have a short entry list for the WRC2 class. Andreas Mikkelsen, Nikolay Gryazin, Kajetan Kajetanowicz and last year’s winner Grégoire Munster will headline the class. Alongside other local drivers. The short entry list was expected, as Rally Japan is a bit more expensive than other events to compete in. Compared to European events which have nearly endless entry lists. The short entry list is also the result of the majority of drivers being out of point-scoring rounds. Nevertheless, there will still be competition this weekend, just a lot less than normal.