Katsuta, the Japanese revelation in WRC 2

Takamoto Katsuta, this is the name that must now be learned by followers of world rallies. The almost 25-year-old Japanese (he will celebrate his birthday on March 17) revealed himself during the last Rally of Sweden by winning the category WRC 2 aboard a Ford Fiesta R5, under the noses of the ice event specialists.

It's quite simple: out of the 19 special stages, Takamoto Katsuta only gave up the lead in the general classification in one timed section, on Saturday morning. Sunday lunchtime, he kept a lead of four seconds over the Swede Pontus Tidemand (Skoda), a Swede who is a fan of sliding events and outgoing WRC 2 champion.

The former pilot of car (2th in the Formula 3 Japanese at 20 years old) therefore won the Swedish Rally for only his second participation. “I had to attack while remaining focused throughout the race because Tidemand was very fast. On Friday I spun, which turned out to be a good lesson for me that I needed to calm down a little more on the track.", explains the Japanese.

Supported by the Toyota Gazoo Racing, Takamoto Katsuta fait partie du programme de détection initié par Tommi Mäkinen en 2015. Le Finlandais ne s’est pas privé pour dire tout le bien qu’il pense du résultat de son élève. “It’s absolutely fantastic. Everyone was very surprised by his handling of pressure. He had to compete with fast and experienced pilots in these winter conditions.

This result should provide a boost to his confidence. It’s very promising for its future.”, continues the four-time WRC world champion, who could well reward the Japanese with a stint in the Yaris WRC.

“The plan is a possible start of the 2019 Rally Japan in this car. This would be natural, if it can happen. But, maybe it will happen sooner. We'll see… "

Discover the full report and analysis of the Swedish Rally, produced by our special correspondent, in issue 2153 of AUTOhebdo, available from this Monday evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.

mcasaurangvergez@autohebdo.fr