Evans extends lead, as Katsuta continues charge
The Toyota driver increased his overnight lead over Toyota team-mate Sebastien Ogier by 9.6s across Sunday morning’s three stages to move 1m24.6 clear. Kalle Rovanpera kept Toyota’s 1-2-3 hopes alive ending the loop in third, 1m53.1s adrift. But the battle for fourth is hanging in balance with Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi 16.2s ahead of a charging […]
Николай Грязин показал ливрею ралли-кара, нарисованную школьницей
Российский раллист Николай Грязин, который в статусе нейтрального атлета выступает в чемпионате мира по классическому ралли WRC в классе WRC2, проводит Ралли Японии в необычной ливрее. Дизайн хэтчбека Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 разработали японские школьники, для которых организовали конкурс в начальной школе Инатаке города Тоёта, который примет Ралли Японии. Дракон на автомобиле Николая ГрязинаФото: Rallyplus […]
Katsuta realising WRC potential after Rally Japan stage wins
Katsuta has displayed blistering pace across the tricky asphalt stages at his home event, winning eight of the 16 stages to date. The Japanese driver’s pace would have put him firmly in the victory battle had he not damaged his GR Yaris’ radiator after colliding with trees in stage two on Friday. Katsuta was fastest […]
Evans closes out Saturday with comfortable lead
Evans took a commanding 1m49.9s lead over team-mate Sebastien Ogier into the day’s eight stages after starring in treacherous wet conditions on Friday. The Welsh driver conceded time to Ogier across Saturday’s stage but will head into Sunday’s final six stages with a margin of 1m15.0s. Toyota remained on course to secure a podium lockout […]
Evans emerges from snow shower with lead intact
The Toyota driver carefully navigated through a trio of twisty asphalt stages — one affected by snow — with a 1m14.3s advantage over team-mate Sebastien Ogier. World champion Kalle Rovanpera held onto third (+1m38.9s) to preserve a Toyota 1-2-3, ahead of Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi (+3m16.8s). M-Sport’s Ott Tanak climbed to fifth while Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta […]
FIA explains bizarre WRC Rally Japan stage stoppage
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville was the first to come across the stranded zero car which was pulled over to one side of the road midway through the 20.32km Nukata Forest test. Unaware of the stationary vehicle ahead, Neuville, who rejoined the rally after crashing out of second on stage six yesterday, briefly stopped before passing the […]
Evans in control as Ogier nibbles at deficit
The Toyota driver could afford to take a measured approach given his sizeable advantage, but ended the morning loop, held in dry conditions, winning two of the four stages, to lead by 1m35.5s. Nearest rival Ogier was able to claw 14.4s back on Evans across the morning. Toyota’s lockout of the top three positions continued […]
Organisers red flag stage nine
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville was the first to come across the stranded zero car which was pulled over to one side of the road midway through the 20.32km Nukata Forest test. Neuville, who rejoined the rally after crashing out of second on stage six yesterday, passed the car but soon switched into road mode for the […]
Neuville “in too much of a rush” to catch WRC Japan leader Evans
Neuville had closed to within 10.5s of Evans and looked set to offer the Toyota driver stern challenge for victory before his rally unravelled on stage six (Inabu Dam, 19.38km). The Belgian had survived horrendous wet conditions across the morning stages before taking 15s out of Evans on stage five. However, a compression in the […]