A young ARA star has revealed their preliminary 2024 schedule. Find out who and what WRC event they plan on attending below.
Who Is It?
2023 American Rally Association (ARA) runner-up Patrick Gruszka has revealed the list of events he plans on attending in 2024. This list included all the rounds of the 2024 ARA national championship and one ARA regional event. It also includes all rounds of the 2024-25 Nitrocross schedule. Which will kick off at Richmond Raceway in Richmond Virginia. However, one of the most notable events on Gruszka’s list for the upcoming season is WRC Poland.
Not A Huge Surprise
Patrick Gruszka has previously hinted at competing in a World Rally Championship event. As the 20-year-old revealed on episode 13 of the Into The Dust Podcast that he intended on travelling to Europe to compete in an event. Gruszka has been one of the ARA’s top young drivers. Winning the 2023 RC2 championship. Beating a former Junior WRC driver in the process. Not only would Rally Poland be Gruszka’s first time competing in Europe. It will also be a home event for the Polish American. As Gruszka’s father Ark is originally from Poland.
What Class?
Gruszka will likely compete in the WRC2 class in a Hyundai i20 R5. The same model of car he currently drives in the ARA. However, it’s unlikely he will use the same i20 he uses in America as he intends on competing at the South Ohio Forest Rally earlier that month. Gruszka’s co-driver Florian Barral has experience driving at European events. As well as what to expect from the events as he has served as a crew member for Pierre-Louis Loubet. Gruszka likely won’t be fighting for the WRC2 class win but will look to use the event as a learning experience.
Former WRC driver Bryan Bouffier has confirmed he will contest Rallye Monte-Carlo later this month.
Returning To The Sport
Bryan Bouffier will return to rally after a 4-year absence from the sport. The three-time Polish national champion will look to compete at his home event for what could be the final time. Bouffier last competed at the 2019 running of Rajd Barbórka in Poland. He finished fourth overall at the event.
What Will Bouffier Drive?
Bouffier will be one of the many drivers to take the brand-new Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 for a spin. Last season fellow rally legend Francois Delecour returned to the WRC to try out the then new Sköda Fabia Rally2. Bouffier seems to be following in Delecour’s footsteps.
What To Expect From Bouffier
As previously mentioned Bryan Bouffier hasn’t competed at a rally in over 4 years. This means he’ll likely have some rust to shake off before he can get going at a good pace. Bouffier won’t challenge for the WRC2 class win. Instead he, in partnership with Toyota will likely use the event to get his opinions on the car. As Bouffier has experience driving many different cars. Including multiple variations of the Ford Fiesta and Hyundai i20. He has also driven a modified Mitsubishi Mirage in the American Rally Association on a few occasions. This means Bouffier has experience in a variety of cars and could provide valuable input to Toyota.
Could Bouffier Do More Events?
It’s unlikely that Bouffier will make any more appearances this season. However, anything is possible. He may look to compete in some of his former favourite events for a final time this season. If we were to see Bouffier again it would likely be for Rally Poland in June. As Bouffier has a load of experience in Poland. Something that could make him slightly more competitive despite the age difference between him and his fellow competitors.
Chris Ingram has announced he will make his return to the WRC at the 2024 running of Rallye Monte-Carlo.
A Return
Chris Ingram has been absent from WRC2 competition since the 2023 running of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Ingram intended to run more than just one event. However, the 29-year-old couldn’t get the budget to do so. This left Ingram without a drive last season. Fortunately, he was able to find the money to compete at select European Rally Championship and other national championship rounds in a Volkswagen Polo R5. Since winning the 2019 ERC championship, Ingram hasn’t found much luck. As the Brit has only won at two national events since then. Ingram’s most notable accomplishment last season was contesting Sebastien Loeb at a French national event. Both drivers were in Volkswagen Polo R5’s. Loeb ultimately won, whilst Ingram finished third overall.
Looking For More
Currently, Chris Ingram heads into Rallye Monte-Carlo with the same lookout as he did last season. As Ingram has only been confirmed to contest Monte-Carlo with the Racing Factory team. However, it is expected Ingram will contest more events as the season goes on. What events those are will be revealed in due time, if there are any. Ingram will also contest the Jänner Rallye in Austria this weekend as a test for Monte-Carlo. It’s a hope from British rally fans that Ingram will find the budget to contest more events.
What To Expect From Ingram
Chris Ingram finished 6th in the WRC2 class at the Rallye Monte-Carlo next season. However, he was also driving a last generation Sköda Fabia R5. This time around he will drive the new Sköda Fabia Rally2. However, this likely won’t affect his results much. As he will have a tough time beating out the likes of Oliver Solberg among other WRC2 championship contenders. However, as with anything to do with rally, anything can happen on the stages.
Earlier this week Toyota Gazoo Racing announced the Yaris Rally2 has been officially homologated.
Can Officially Be Used
The Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 can officially be used at FIA events this upcoming season. This was expected as Toyota had already started selling the Yaris Rally2 before it was officially homologated. The new version of the Yaris will give Toyota the chance to develop drivers in a car under their own company. As previously they have either used cars from other manufacturers or signed drivers from other teams. Toyota will use this platform to build its next generation of stars.
Who Will Drive The Yaris Rally2
The full list of drivers that will drive the car for the upcoming season is unknown. However, we do know a few that will contest Rallye Monte-Carlo in the car. This list includes Bryan Bouffier, Sami Pajari, Stephen Lefebvre and Jan Solans. It’s expected this list will grow come January 8th when the official start list for Rallye Monte-Carlo is announced. Solans has already announced he will contest a full WRC2 campaign in the Yaris Rally2.
What To Expect From The New Toyota
Obviously, the biggest goal for Toyota is to challenge and best Sköda this upcoming season. However, Sköda won’t go down easy. As they have already confirmed Oliver Solberg will drive for the team. Pajari and Solberg battled for position in the WRC2 championship last season. However, Solberg was arguably the fastest driver in WRC2 last season. He just didn’t have the luck to finish out some events. Pajari is entering his second season of competition in WRC2. He is one of the WRC’s best up-and-coming stars. Toyota may have themselves a future World Rally Champion in Pajari. If they play their cards correctly. Who will join Pajari as a Toyota driver in WRC2 is unknown. Lefebvre may be that driver.
Earlier today Sami Pajari confirmed his plans for the 2024 World Rally Championship season.
A New Team
Sami Pajari will leave Toksport for the 2024 WRC2 season and join Printsport. Pajari finished seventh in the WRC2 championship, five points behind Oliver Solberg. Pajari will drive a brand new Toyota Yaris GR Rally2. The 22-year-old was expected to move on from Toksport at the end of last season. As Toyota made their interest in the 2021 Junior World Rally Champion.
What To Expect From Pajari
Sami Pajari will look to build off a strong first season in WRC2. He will look to challenge for both the WRC2 and WRC2 challenger championships. How the Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 will hold up against the Skoda Fabia Rally2 is unknown. However, the car is believed to be a championship contender. Pajari showed rapid growth throughout the 2023 season. He even managed to take home his first WRC2 event win at his home event of Secto Rally Finland. He also challenged Oliver Solberg for the class win at Rally Chile Bio Bio.
How Many Events Will Pajari Do?
Sami Pajari confirmed he will contest a full season. It’s unknown if he meant all 13 rounds of the 2024 World Rally Championship season or just the 7 required for the WRC2 championship. Pajari will kick off his 2024 campaign at the legendary Rally Monte-Carlo later this month. From there he will likely do Rally Sweden. He may choose to skip Safari Rally Kenya in March, however, attending the difficult event would be good for his future in the sport. As Pajari knows he’s already on the radar of WRC teams, gaining valuable experience at events like Safari Rally Kenya could go a long way for him. Especially if he puts up a good result at the event.
Oliver Solberg has announced his plans for the 2024 World Rally Championship season. Find out all you need to know below.
What Are Solberg’s 2024 Plans?
Oliver Solberg will once again pilot a Sköda Fabia for the 2024 World Rally Championship season. This is the same car he used last season on his way to finishing 6th in the WRC2 championship. Solberg had some promising drives last season. He was also arguably the fastest driver at every round he competed in. Which ended up being all but two rounds, the Central European Rally and Rally Japan. Solberg claimed wins at Rally Sweden and Rally Chile.
A Slight Disappointment
It had been rumoured that Solberg was a contender to get a drive with M-Sport next season. However, that obviously didn’t happen. M-Sport had previously talked to Solberg before the 2023 season after he and Hyundai parted ways. However, M-Sport’s offer wasn’t what Solberg was looking for. Instead the then 21-year-old opted to drive the WRC2 class for the season. In hopes a strong performance would land him a slot back in a Rally1 car. The reason why Solberg didn’t get a drive with M-Sport this season is likely due to sponsorships. As Solberg is sponsored by Monster Energy whilst M-Sport is sponsored by Redbull. Nevertheless, the goal heading into this season will be the same as last season, try to win the WRC2 championship and try to land a Rally1 drive for 2025.
What To Expect From Solberg
Oliver Solberg is one of the WRC’s best young drivers. Being only 22 years old, Solberg has shown loads of skill so far in the WRC. The exact list of rallies the Swede will compete in is unknown. However, he has made it known he intends on running as many events as possible again this season. Solberg will make his first appearance of the 2024 season at the Rallye Montecarlo next month. From there he will likely look to go back to back at his home event in Sweden. From there everything is up in the air.
Earlier this week Citroen announced their 2024 WRC2 driver lineup. A lineup which includes a new face along with a familiar one.
A Familiar Face
Yohan Rossel will once again drive for Citroen in WRC2 after a strong showing in 2023. Rossel ended the season third in the championship. Ending the season 7 points behind Gus Greensmith. Rossel won 2 events last season, tying him with Oliver Solberg and Gus Greensmith for the second-most wins. The 28-year-old Frenchman showed the Citroen C3 can still compete with the likes of Sköda and M-Sport, despite not being as up-to-date.
A New Face
Yohan Rossel will have a teammate this season. As Citroen will expand their WRC2 program from one to two cars. Joining Rossel will be Nikolay Gryazin. Gryazin finished fourth in the championship, 8 points behind Rossel. Gryazin drove for Toksport last season. The 26-year-old took home no wins last season. Grayzin did finish on the podium 4 times last season. Including three second places. Gryazin will give Citroen another championship challenger. As Gryazin is one of the WRC’s best up-and-coming drivers.
What Events Will The Drivers Do?
Yohan Rossel and Nikolay Gryazin’s schedules still have yet to be confirmed. However, it is believed both drivers will debut at Rallye Monte-Carlo next month. From there Rossel will likely compete in most of the same events as last season. Gryazin competed in all but two events last season. This gave Gryazin valuable experience at the events. However, that likely won’t happen this season as Citroen has less funding than Toksport. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Grayzin competed in Montecarlo, Croatia and Japan again. As he finished second at all of those events last season. Rossel heads into Rallye Monte-Carlo as the reigning winner in the class. This comes after Gryazin received a penalty for corner cutting which dropped him out of the rally lead.
The fourth and final day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Andreas Mikkelsen held on to take the WRC2 class win.
SS17, Asahi Kougen 1
Andreas Mikkelsen topped the first stage of Forum8 Rally Japan’s final day. As Mikkelsen would set a time 1.9 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin on the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 18.5 seconds slower than Gryazin.
SS18, Ena City 1
Andreas Mikkelsen also took the stage win on the second stage of the day. Posting a time 22.8 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win his second stage of the day. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 1 minute and 31.5 seconds slower than Gryazin.
SS19, Nenoune Kougen 1
Andreas Mikkelsen yet again took the stage win on the nineteenth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. As the Norwegian set a time 5.6 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win his third consecutive stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz once again rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 28.5 seconds slower than Gryazin.
SS20, Ena City 2
Andreas Mikkelsen also took the stage win on the fourth stage of the day. Posting a time 18.2 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win his fourth consecutive stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 57.8 seconds slower than Gryazin.
SS21, Nenoune Kougen 2
Nikolay Gryazin stopped Mikkelsen’s win streak by taking the stage win on the 21st stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Gryazin set a time 7.1 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen to win the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage, 7.6 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.
SS22, Wolf Power Stage Asahi Kougen 2
Nikolay Gryazin also took the final stage win of the event. Posting a time 8.3 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to win his second stage of the day. Andreas Mikkelsen finished third fastest on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
The third day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Andreas Mikkelsen retains the event lead after the day’s seven stages.
SS9, Nukata Forest 1
Andreas Mikkelsen topped the first stage of the third day of Forum8 Rally Japan. With Mikkelsen posting a time 2.2 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win the stage. Heikki Kovalainen finished third fastest on the stage, 44.3 seconds slower than Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetanowicz set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 14.3 seconds slower than Gryazin. Daniel Chwist rounded out the top five on the stage, 23.2 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS10, Lake Mikawako 1
Andreas Mikkelsen also took the win on the second stage of the day. Setting a time 7.5 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin on the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz, 28.9 seconds slower than Gryazin. Heikki Kovalainen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 12.1 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Osamu Fukunaga rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Kovalainen.
SS11, Okazaki City SSS1
Nikolay Gryazin took the stage win on the eleventh stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Gryazin posted a time 0.1 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen to win the stage. Kajetan Kajetnowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Heikki Kovalainen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Daniel Chwist rounded out the top five on the stage, 7.2 seconds slower than Kovalainen.
SS12, Okazaki City SSS2
Nikolay Gryazin also took the stage win on the twelfth stage of the weekend. Posting a time 0.4 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen to top the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Heikki Kovalainen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.3 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Daniel Chwist and Osamu Fukunaga tied for fifth fastest on the stage, with both drivers finishing 9 seconds slower than Kovalainen.
SS13, Nukata Forest 2
Nikolay Gryazin also won the thirteenth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Setting a time 6.5 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen to win his third consecutive stage. Heikki Kovalainen finished third fastest on the stage, 18.8 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Kajetan Kajetanowicz posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 15 seconds slower than Kovalainen. Osamu Fukunaga rounded out the top five on the stage, 25.9 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS14, Lake Mikawako 2
Andreas Mikkelsen was back to his winning ways on SS14. As Mikkelsen posted a time 7.1 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 24.8 seconds slower than Gryazin. Osamu Fukunaga set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 22.9 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Eamonn Boland rounded out the top five on the stage, 1 second slower than Fukunaga.
SS15, Shinshiro City
Andreas Mikkelsen also took the stage win on the penultimate stage of the third day. Setting a time 3.7 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Gryazin. Osamu Fukunaga posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 12.2 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Eamonn Boland rounded out the top five on the stage once again, 4.4 seconds slower than Osamu.
SS16, Toyota Stadium SSS3
Andreas Mikkelsen ended the penultimate day of Forum8 Rally Japan with a stage win. As Mikkelsen would set a time 0.4 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Gryazin. Daniel Chwist posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.6 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Osamu Fukunaga rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.8 seconds slower than Chwist.
Forum8 Rally Japan WRC2 Day Two Recap
The second day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Andreas Mikkelsen leads the class after the days seven stages.
SS2, Isegami’s Tunnel 1
Andreas Mikkelsen started off the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan with a stage win. Mikkelsen would set a time 7.8 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to take the class lead and his first stage win of the event. Heiki Kovalanen finished third fastest on the stage, 43.2 seconds slower than Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetanowicz was the last driver to finish the stage, 4.2 seconds slower than Kovalanen. The stage was cancelled after Kajetanowicz ran.
SS3, Inabu Dam 1
Andreas Mikkelsen also won the third stage of the weekend. Posting a time 30.9 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win the stage. Osamu Fukunaga finished third fastest on the stage, 17 seconds slower than Gryazin. Heiki Kovalanen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.4 seconds slower than Fukunaga. Eamonn Boland rounded out the top five on the stage, 18.7 seconds slower than Kovalanen.
SS4, Shitara Town 1
Cancelled due to safety concerns.
SS5, Isegami’s Tunnel 2
Nikolay Gryazin took the stage win on the fifth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Setting a time 15.8 seconds faster than Andreas Mikkelsen to take his first stage win of the day. Heiki Kovalanen finished third fastest on the stage, 27.4 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Kajetan Kajetanowicz posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 30.3 seconds slower than Kovalanen. Osamu Fukunaga rounded out the top five on the stage, 40.1 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS6, Inabu Dam 2
Andreas Mikkelsen was back in form on SS6, taking yet another stage win. Mikkelsen would set a time 1.2 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win his third stage of the day. Heiki Kovalanen finished third fastest on the stage, 14.2 seconds slower than Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetnowicz posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 16.5 seconds slower than Kovalanen. Osamu Fukunaga rounded out the top five on the stage, 38.2 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS7, Shitara Town 2
Andreas Mikkelsen also won the seventh stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Posting a time 6.5 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin. Heiki Kovalanen finished third fastest on the stage, 21.7 seconds slower than Gryazin. Kajetan Kajetanowicz set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 28.4 seconds slower than Kovalanen. Osamu Fukunaga rounded out the top five on the stage, 28.3 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS8, Toyota Stadium SSS 2
Andreas Mikkelsen took home the stage win on the final stage of the second day. Setting a time 0.1 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to win his third consecutive stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Heiki Kovalanen tied for third fastest on the stage, both drivers finished 1.3 seconds slower than Gryazin. Osamu Fukunaga posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.9 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz and Kovalanen. Eamonn Boland rounded out the top five times on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Fukunaga.
Forum8 Rally Japan Day One WRC2 Recap