WRC
Japanese juniors in WRC2 in 2024
Among these three young Japanese, only the two on the left will drive Yaris Rally2s next year (Photos: Toyota)
Started in 2015, the first session of this program established by the Japanese manufacturer led to the selection of Takamoto Katsuta. The latter is now playing in Rally1 and Toyota continues its investment in young people. Last year, new hopefuls were integrated into this sector of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge following a detection operation in Japan.
Hikaru Kogure, Yuki Yamamoto and Nao Otake arrived in Europe in January 2022 to begin their training. To enable them to progress, they competed in a series of rallies in Finland on Renault Clio Rally4. This season, their participations have gone up a notch with races at the higher level and in particular 2 appearances in the world (Sweden and Finland) and 2 in ERC (Poland and Liepaja). At the end of this phase, Toyota made a choice based on the qualities displayed by the three drivers.
Kogure and Yamamoto have been retained and they will continue to progress. Under the eyes of Mikko Hirvonen who plays the role of instructor, the two Japanese will compete in events at the wheel of the Toyota Yaris Rally2. While these two retained hopes will have the chance to race occasionally in the world (Sweden? Finland?), Nao Otake will be directed towards the Japanese rally championship where he will join the new Junior category.
As this process approaches its outcome which must designate a 2e driver able to progress in Rally1 after Taka, a 3e wave has already started. Qualifying took place at Fuji Speedway and the final will take place in Finland in December.
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Loïc ROCCI
Journalist specializing in rallying past, present and future... and with a southern accent
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