The first stage of the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan is underway, however, two drivers have already crashed out.
Sordo Out
Dani Sordo is out of Forum8 Rally Japan. As the Spaniard crashed out on the first stage of the second day. Oddly enough this is the same stage that caught Sordo out last season. It’s an unfortunate ending for Sordo who is competing in his first event since EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. This will also be Sordo’s final event for the foreseeable future. As the 40-year-old has yet to confirm his plans for the 2024 season. He has said he wants to compete in at least Vodafone Rally Portugal next season. Although nothing has been confirmed with Hyundai.
Fourmaux Out
Adrien Fourmuax was also caught out by the stage. It’s a disappointing start for the Frenchmen’s second chance in a rally1 car. Fourmaux is subbing in for fellow Frenchman Pierre-Louis Loubet this weekend. After Loubet and M-Sport decided his final event would be the Central European Rally. Forumaux spent the 2023 season driving in the WRC2 class and the British Rally Championship. Fourmaux won the BRC championship, becoming the first French driver to do so. The rally1 drive this weekend was his reward for winning that championship and helping M-Sport develop the Fiesta Rally2. Hopefully, Fourmaux M-Sport will be able to fix the issue with Fourmaux’s Puma in time for tomorrow’s stages.
Katsuta Crashes
Takamoto Katsuta was on pace to win SS2. That was until he spun out, damaging his car. This led to the stage being red-flagged and Katsuta nursing the car for the final third of the stage. Katsuta is continuing the event, despite having a mangled front end. Katsuta likely won’t retire unless his car completely gives out. As this is his home event and he wants to put on the best show he can in front of his home crowd.
Rough Conditions
So far the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan has had rough conditions. As rain has made the roads slick. Add that to the fog on the stages and it becomes a mess. Drivers for the most part have slowed down to a manageable pace. In hopes of not joining Sordo and Fourmaux on the retirement list.
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.
The first day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Thierry Neuville leads the rally after the day’s lone stage.
Shakedown
Thierry Neuville topped the shakedown stage. Posting a time 1.4 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Sebastien Ogier and Takamoto finished third fastest, 0.2 seconds slower than their Toyota teammate Evans. 2023 World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time, 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier and Katsuta. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five times on the shakedown stages, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SSS1, Toyota Stadium
Thierry Neuville also took home the stage win on the first stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Setting a time 0.7 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest, 0.7 seconds slower than Lappi. Dani Sordo posted the fourth fastest time, 0.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Sordo.
Toyota Struggles
The first stage was a difficult one for Toyota’s drivers. As none of them finished top three or even close to the top three on the stage. Takamoto Katsuta was the closest, finishing 1.7 seconds behind third. This may seem small, but on a SuperSpecial stage that’s a fair bit of time. Moreover, the drivers you expect to be running near the top for Toyota finished at least 2.6 seconds behind third. This is time that could be the difference between winning and losing the rally. Why did they lose so much time? The exact answer to this isn’t known. Kalle Rovanperä said the car was difficult to control. The tightness of the SuperSpecial stage could be the reason for this. As the Toyota’s do well at speed on open roads, not in tight spaces.
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.
The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team has confirmed Esapekka Lappi will once again drive for the team in 2024.
Moving To Part-Time
Due to Ott Tänak returning to Hyundai in a full-time role next season, Lappi will move into a part-time role. This isn’t anything new for the Finnish driver. As Lappi has previously driven part-time with Toyota. As Lappi spent the 2022 season driving part-time for the Japanese manufacturer. Since his debut in 2017 Lappi has only won a single rally. That rally was the 2017 running of Secto Rally Finland.
Why This Is The Correct Move
Esapekka Lappi has been one of the more consistent drivers all season. Finishing top five at 5 of the 12 events so far this season. However it hasn’t all been pretty for Lappi. As a crash in Mexico took him out of the rally lead. More recently Lappi has crashed out of both Rally Chile BioBio and the Central European Rally on the opening day. Moving back to part-time is probably best for Lappi. As the 32 year old seems to yield better results as a part-time driver. Lappi will give Hyundai a safety net at the events he competes at, and will likely finish close to the podium in all the events he finishes.
Who Will Join Lappi?
The question of who will also drive part-time with Esapekka Lappi is still unanswered. The two likely candidates are Dani Sordo and Teemu Suninen. However, it’s a pretty safe guess to assume Suninen will drive for the team in some capacity next season. Although that may not be in the third car. Instead, Suninen may drive in the fourth i20 at select events. However, that is unlikely as Hyundai wants to use that car for developing new drivers. How Hyundai views Suninen next season will have an effect on what car he drives. A lot of who will join Lappi as a part-time driver will also be up to Dani Sordo. As if Sordo wants a seat with Hyundai next season he will get a seat. However, it seemed heading into Forum8 Rally Japan it was going to be Suninen and Sordo or Lappi as part-time drivers for the team.
The 2023 World Rally Championship continues this weekend with the thirteenth and final round, Forum8 Rally Japan.
Championship Rundown
Andreas Mikkelsen clinched his second WRC2 championship last time out. Despite being tied with Gus Greensmith for the championship lead. How? Mikkelsen wins via countback. Mikkelsen also has one point scoring round left this season, which will be used this weekend. Greensmith ran out of events at the end of the Central European Rally. Yohan Rossel’s season is also over, with the Frenchmen ending the season 7 points behind Greensmith and Mikkelsen. Oliver Solberg’s season ended two events ago, he still sits 13 points behind Rossel. Sami Pajari’s season also ended two events ago, he sits 5 points behind Solberg.
Who Is Competing This Weekend?
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.
Back To WRC2
Grégoire Munster will drop back down to WRC2 after competing Rally Chile BioBio and the Central European Rally in a Rally1 car. Munster won Forum8 Rally Japan last season, and will look to do the same this weekend. This could also be Munster’s last event in a WRC2 car for the foreseeable future. As he has hinted at competing Rallye Monte-Carlo next season in a Rally1 car. Munster won’t have an easy time taking the win this weekend. As he will have to fend off WRC2 champion Andreas Mikkelsen, among others.
The 2023 World Rally Championship continues this weekend with the thirteenth and final round, Forum8 Rally Japan.
Championship Rundown
Kalle Rovanperä became a two-time World Rally Champion at the Central European Rally. Meaning the 2023 Drivers’ Championship is no longer on the table. However, there is still a battle for second in the championship. As Elfyn Evans currently sits in the championship, 44 points behind Rovanperä. Central European Rally winner Thierry Neuville is third in the championship, just 7 points behind Evans. Ott Tänak also has a chance at second overall, as he sits 22 points behind Neuville and 29 behind Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounds out the championship top five heading into Forum8 Rally Japan, 48 points behind Tänak.
Expected Rain
Currently, it’s expected to rain throughout the event. With it already having rained on Wednesday before the shakedown stage. Last season Thierry Neuville took home the win with help from the rain. However, wet conditions all weekend may favor Kalle Rovanperä more. As the Finnish driver seems to prefer wet tarmac over dry tarmac, or at least that’s what he wanted at the Central European Rally. With the tight roads in Japan, a bit of rain may catch some drivers out early into the event.
Can Neuville Go Back To Back?
As previously mentioned Thierry Neuville won the Central European Rally last month. Neuville will have a chance to claim back-to-back wins at Forum8 Rally Japan. The Belgian is also one of the favourites to take the event win. Why? Neuville is really good on tarmac. He’s not necessarily a tarmac specialist as he’s pretty good on gravel as well. However, Neuville seems to be able to find the next level on sealed surfaces. Hence why he often wins or finishes high at those events. Sure Neuville was helped out last weekend by Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans. As after Evans crashed into a barn, Rovanperä slowed down, way down. Practically handing Neuville the win. However, Neuville also had a strong chance of winning the event anyway.
The Central European Rally has come to an end. Nicolas Ciamin took home the win to claim the first WRC2 class win of his career.
Day One
The first day of the Central European Rally saw drivers contest two SuperSpecial stages. WRC2 class leader Andreas Mikkelsen kicked off the event with a win on SSS1. However, his lead was short-lived as Mikkelsen’s championship rival Yohan Rossel won SS2 to take a 3.2-second lead over Mikkelsen.
Day Two
The second day of the event saw drivers contest 6 stages. Nikolay Gryazin was the Kalle Rovanperä of the WRC2 class. Winning three of the days six stages. However, only five of those stages were run as SS6 was canceled due to safety concerns. Despite winning all but two stages on the day Gryazin didn’t lead the event to end the day. Instead, Emil Lindholm ended the day with a 14.9-second lead over Erik Cais.
Day Three
The penultimate day of the Central European Rally saw drivers once again contest six stages. Emil Lindholm took three of the six stage wins on the day to expand his lead to 20.9 over Nicolas Ciamin to end the day. Nothing major happened on the day which is out of character for a rally.
Day Four
The fourth and final day of the event saw drivers contest four stages. Emil Lindholm lost the rally lead before even starting the first stage of the day. As Lindholm suffered an alternator issue on the way to the days opening stage, ending his event. This promoted Nicolas Ciamin into the rally lead. Ciamin maintained the lead throughout the day. Andreas won two of the days four stages including the Powerstage. All to secure the 2023 WRC2 championship.
Championship Rundown
Andreas Mikkelsen leaves the Central European Rally tied with Gus Greensmith for the WRC2 championship lead. Despite the two being tied Mikkelsen has won the championship. As Greensmith has no point-scoring events remaining. While Mikkelsen still has one. Mikkelsen doesn’t have to score a single point in Japan however as he will still win the championship regardless via countback. Yohan Rossel sits third in the championship, 7 points behind Mikkelsen and Greensmith. Rossel much like Greensmith has no point-scoring rounds remaining. Oliver Solberg maintains fourth in the championship, 13 points behind Rossel. Sami Pajari also stays in the same position as before the event. As Pajari remains fifth overall, 6 points behind Solberg.
Unfortunate Endings
Yohan Rossel
Yohan Rossel’s championship hopes came to an end on the first stage of the second day. Rossel would go wide on a corner into the grass. Normally this wouldn’t be much of an issue. However, with Rossel using tarmac slicks going on to wet grass was like driving on ice. With no grip available Rossel was left to slide into some small trees. Ending his championship hopes and event.
Emil Lindholm
Emil Lindholm was one pace to have his best finish of the season. Unfortunately for Lindholm an alternator issue on the transit to the first stage of the final day ended his event earlier. The 2022 WRC2 champion’s season came to an unfortunate end.
It has been revealed that a fourth car is in the works for the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, find out more below.
Where Is This Coming From?
The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team had been rumored to be getting a fourth car next season. However, up until this point, nothing was confirmed nor denied. Hyundai Motorsport team principal Cyril Abiteboul has revealed a fourth i20 is in the cards for the team. However, building a fourth car isn’t Hyundai’s top priority right now. Instead, they are focusing on having three cars prepared and ready for Rallye Monte-Carlo to kick off the 2024 season. The team has already started these preparations with Esapekka Lappi testing a new version of the i20 on snow this past week.
How Will The Fourth Hyundai Be Used?
The sole purpose of the fourth i20 is to develop new drivers. This will give young drivers a chance to learn the ropes in a rally1 car before having to worry about manufacturers’ points and such. Hyundai is doing the same thing Toyota did in the 2022 season with Takamoto Katsuta. Giving a young, inexperienced at the top level driver a chance in a rally1 car.
Who Will Drive The Fourth Hyundai?
This is a question that will be answered in due time. As things sit right now Hyundai have two drivers in their motorsport academy. 2022 WRC2 champion Emil Lindholm and Fabrizio Zaldivar. They also have Irishman Josh McErlean as a Junior driver. There’s a 90% chance Lindholm will be one of the drivers to get a drive in the car. He could also potentially be the only driver. As they might allow Lindholm to do a full season in the car. However, that seems unlikely as it wouldn’t be a great use of resources.
The team may look to bring back a driver or add another outside driver as well. Names such as Pierre-Louis Loubet, Yohan Rossel, Sami Pajari, Nikolay Gryazin and Oliver Solberg come to mind. All of those drivers and more have been some of the WRC’s top young stars. Both Loubet and Solberg have driven Hyundai’s before. While Rossel, Pajari and Gryazin have only driven WRC2 or lower cars. Regardless of the route Hyundai decide to go it will be a tough, throughout decision for the team.
The Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville claimed his second win of the season.
Day One
The first day of the Central European Rally saw drivers compete in two SuperSpecial stages. Thierry Neuville ended the day with a 1.2-second lead over Ott Tänak. Tänak won SSS1, whilst Neuville won SSS2. Sebastien Ogier sat third at the end of the day, 5.8 seconds behind Neuville.
Day Two
The second day of the event was dominated by Kalle Rovanperä. With the championship hopeful winning 4 out of the day’s 6 stages to take a 36.4-second lead over Thierry Neuville to end the day. Rovanperä’s championship rival Elfyn Evans sat third to end the day, 47.2 seconds behind Rovanperä. Rovanperä did everything he needed to on the second day to put pressure on Evans.
Day Three
Thierry Neuville regained the rally lead, winning two of the day’s 6 stages. Sebastien Ogier also won two stages on the day. The big story heading out of the penultimate day wasn’t anything to do with Neuville or Ogier however. As on SS11 Elfyn Evans championship hopes came crashing down. As Evans overshot a corner and crashed into a barn that was stageside. Breaking his rear suspension and ending his championship hopes. This allowed Kalle Rovanperä to slow down. Rovanperä ended the day in second, 26.2 seconds behind Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top three to end the day, nearly two minutes behind Neuville.
Day Four
Thierry Neuville maintained the lead over the fourth and final day of the Central European Rally. With only 4 stages this wasn’t very hard. Nevertheless, he still did it despite not taking a stage win. Instead, Elfyn Evans and Sebastien Ogier both took two stage wins on the day. With Evans winning the Powerstage. It was all for nothing for Evans however as Kalle Rovanperä held on to second place to secure his second championship. Ott Tänak ended the event third.
Drivers Championship Rundown After The Central European Rally
Kalle Rovanperä will head into the final event of the season with a 44-point lead over Elfyn Evans. Meaning he has clinched the championship as only 30 points are on the table in Japan. Switching the attention to who will finish second in the championship. As Neuville winning the Central European Rally closed the gap between him and Evans to just 7 points. Ott Tänak also has a chance to move into the championship top three. As the Estonian sits 22 points behind Neuville and 29 behind Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounds out the top five in the championship.
Another Unfortunate Ending For Lappi
Esapekka Lappi yet again retired from an event before the end of the second day. This time however he made it 4 stages past what he did in Chile. Lappi retired after going wide on a corner in SS5 and hitting a tree. Ending his weekend in the process.
Earlier this week the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT announced two drivers that will drive in WRC2 as part of the Next Generation program.
Who Are They?
The two drivers that will drive for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Next Generation team in WRC2 next season are Yuki Yamamoto and Hikaru Kogure. Both Yamamoto and Kogure drove in the WRC4 class this past season at select events. Following in Takamoto Katsuta’s footsteps both Japanese drivers will drive select European events for the team. It hasn’t been confirmed what car they will drive. However, it’s a safe bet that they will drive the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
A Bit About The Drivers
Yuki Yamamoto
Born in Japan, Yamamoto is a 26-year-old driver. They have competed in a Rally4 car for the last two seasons. Yamamoto has competed at select rounds of the Finnish Rally Championship and the World Rally Championship among others. Finishing 7th in the ERT4 class in the FRC last season, and 3rd in the ERT4 Junior championship. Yamamoto has shown steady development as a part of the Toyota Gazoo Racing NG Team. Yamamoto made his rally debut in 2018 at the Rally in Akitakata in Japan. From 2018 to 2021 Yamamoto competed in Japan. Before joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing NG team.
Hikaru Kogure
Born in Japan, Kogure is a 22-year-old rally driver. Making his rally debut in 2020 at the Shikoku no Teppen Rally in Japan. Kogure spent his first two years competing in Japan before joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing NG team. Much like Yamamoto, Kogure competed in select rounds of the FRC and WRC last season. Finishing 9th in the ERT4 class and 5th in ERT4 Junior.
Why Straight To Rally2?
Yamamoto and Kogure will jump from 2WD Rally4 cars to 4WD Rally2 cars, but why? Normally drivers would drive in a Rally3 car before Rally2. However for Toyota this likely makes more sense. As it’s worked for them before, well sort of. As Takamoto Katsuta started driving in a 2WD Toyota GT86 some years ago. Before joining Tommi Makinen Racing, which was a part of Toyota. There is a difference between the GT86 Katsuta drove and the Rally4 cars Yamamoto and Kogure drove. The premise is the same, however. Plus ultimately this move just skips a stepping stone for the drivers and allows them to learn and develop in the Rally2 cars. As opposed to driving a Rally3 car and then a Rally2 car.