The third day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Elfyn Evans retains the event lead after the day’s seven stages.
SS9, Nukata Forest 1
Sebastien Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta tied for the stage win on the opening stage of the third day of Forum8 Rally Japan. With both drivers posting a time 3.1 seconds faster than rally leader Elfyn Evans to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Evans. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five times on the stage, 5 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS10, Lake Mikawako 1
Takamoto Katsuta was the sole fastest time on SS10. As Katsuta set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest, 1 second slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier posted the fourth fastest time on the stage; 7.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS11, Okazaki City SSS1
Elfyn Evans took the win on the eleventh stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Posting a time 0.2 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to win his first stage of the day. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Tänak. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS12, Okazaki City SSS2
Elfyn Evans also took the stage win on SS12. Setting a time 0.9 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to win his second consecutive stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS13, Nukata Forest 2
Takamoto Katsuta was back to his winning ways on the thirteenth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. With Katsuta posting a time 2.8 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 5 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS14, Lake Mikawako 2
Takamoto Katsuta also took the win on SS14. Setting a time 0.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win his fourth stage of the day. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Esapekka Lappi posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3 seconds slower than Lappi.
SS15, Shinshiro City
Takamoto Katsuta also won the fifteenth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Katsuta would finish with a time 0.4 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to win his fifth stage of the day. Rally leader Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1 second slower than Rovanperä. Esapekka Lappi set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, posting a time 0.4 seconds slower than Lappi.
SS16, Toyota Stadium SSS3
Esapekka Lappi won the final stage of the third day of Forum8 Rally Japan. Lappi would set a time 1.5 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take his first stage win of the day. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Katsuta Shines Again
Takamoto Katsuta won five of the day’s seven stages. This moved Katsuta up from 9th to 6th overall, 14.9 seconds behind Tänak. Katsuta likely would’ve been in the rally lead if he hadn’t spun out on SS2. Katsuta has been arguably the best driver this weekend and feels like he has more to show.
The second day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Elfyn Evans leads after the days seven stages.
SS2, Isegami’s Tunnel 1
Elfyn Evans took the first stage win of the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan. Setting a time 4 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 16.8 seconds slower than Ogier. WRC2 driver Andreas Mikkelsen posted the fourth fastest time, 6 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 5.5 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.
SS3, Inabu Dam 1
Elfyn Evans also won the third stage of the weekend. With Evans posting a time 10.1 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. WRC2 driver Andreas Mikkelsen finished third fastest on the stage, 6.1 seconds slower than Neuville. WRC2 driver Grégoire Munster set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 18.3 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.3 seconds slower than Munster.
SS4, Shitara Town 1
Cancelled due to safety concerns.
SS5, Isegami’s Tunnel 2
Takamoto Katsuta took his first win of the weekend on the fifth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Posting a time 3.3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest, 12.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Ogier. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.4 seconds slower than Evans.
SS6, Inabu Dam 2
Takamoto Katsuta also won the sixth stage of the weekend. Setting a time 0.3 seconds faster than rally leader Elfyn Evans to win his second consecutive stage at home. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Evans. Kalle Rovanperä posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 12.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS7, Shitara Town 2
Takamoto Katsuta topped the seventh stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Posting a time 1.1 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to win his third consecutive stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 6.5 seconds slower than Evans. Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 10.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS8, Toyota Stadium SSS2
Esapekka Lappi took home the stage win on the final stage of the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan. Lappi would set a time 1 second faster than Sebastien Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta who tied for second. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Katsuta and Ogier. Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Tänak. Elfyn Evans rounded the top five times on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
Katsuta Shines
Takamoto Katsuta was arguably the best driver on the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan. As the Japanese driver could’ve been leading the rally by a decent margin. If it wasn’t for a crash and spin on SS2 that forced him to only use his hybrid engine for the stage. Despite the loss of time, Katsuta ends the second day in 9th, 25.1 seconds behind Ott Tänak.
The afternoon loop of the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan is underway. Thierry Neuville is the latest driver to fall victim to the conditions.
Neuville Out
Thierry Neuville crashes out of Forum8 Rally Japan on the sixth stage of the event. Neuville sat second overall, 10.5 seconds behind Elfyn Evans heading into SS6. Unfortunately, just 100 meters into the stage Neuville overshot the first corner of the stage. Which caused him to hit a tree. As a result, Neuville was unable to restart the stage. Ending his day in the process.
Joining Two Others
Thierry Neuville is the third Rally1 driver to retire from the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan. As both Adrien Fourmaux and Dani Sordo retired on SS2 earlier today. Both Fourmaux and Sordo crashed out in the same spot on the stage. Hopefully, all three drivers will be able to restart the rally for day three.
Unfavorable Conditions
The second day of Forum8 Rally Japan has had some very unfavorable conditions throughout the day. As heavy rain forced the cancellation of SS4. Add that to fog on some stages and visibility is low. “I couldn’t see anything. I have done a lot of rallies in my life but I have never been scared as much as this morning.” Said Neuville after SS3. There are some questions to be raised about the safety of the stages. As on tight narrow stages like the ones in Japan, it leaves little room for error. Luckily there aren’t many places that go alongside a cliff edge. As that could end badly if an accident were to happen. Nevertheless, the rally will continue despite the conditions. It remains to be seen if more stages will get cancelled due to weather.
One Hyundai Driver Left
Only one Hyundai driver has the chance to win Forum8 Rally Japan. With Neuville and Sordo out, Esapekka Lappi is the sole Hyundai driver. Luckily manufacturer points don’t matter for Hyundai. As the manufacturers’ championship was won at Rally Chile BioBio. However, the Korean team was hoping to upset Toyota again this season by winning on home soil for Toyota like last season.
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. 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
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.
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.
With a second-place finish at the Central European Rally, Kalle Rovanperä has claimed his second World Rally Championship.
Champions Again
Kalle Rovanperä won his first championship last year at Repco Rally New Zealand. Winning it with relative ease as nobody challenged him until Secto Rally Finland. When Ott Tänak won the event. Just over a year later Rovanperä is lifting the championship yet again. However this one was slightly more hard fought than the Rovanperä’s championship last season. For more on Rovanperä’s 2023 season look below.
A Quick Look At Rovanperä’s 2023 Season
In 2023 Rovanperä had more of a challenge. As Sebastien Ogier won 2 of the 3 events to start the season. Rovanperä was left winless until Bonafide Rally Portugal. Up until round 5, Rovanperä only had one podium. Which was a second overall at Rallye Monte-Carlo. From Portugal onward Rovanperä was nearly unstoppable. Winning Rally Estonia and finishing on the podium at Rally Italia Sardegna and Safari Rally Kenya. However, everything changed at Secto Rally Finland, Rovanperä’s home event. The then 22-year-old was leading the rally on the third day. However, on one of the afternoon stages, Rovanperä went wide and clipped a rock. Rolling his car and ending his event as a result. This put Elfyn Evans back into the title race. Evans sat just 25 points behind Rovanperä heading into EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Rovanperä won the event, expanding the gap to 33 points. Tire struggles for both drivers in Rally Chile BioBio left Rovanperä behind Evans. Closing the gap to 31 points. Everything was on the line for Evans at the Central European Rally. Rovanperä claimed all but two stage wins on the second day of the event leaving Evans in the dust. On the third day Evans’ championship hopes ended. As Evans would go off the road and hit somebody’s barn. Breaking his rear suspension and ending his day at the event. All Rovanperä had to do was finish the event 7th or higher and the championship was his. Rovanperä sat second at the end of the third day. With just 4 stages on the final day, the championship was all but his. Rovanperä held on to second to secure the championship.