Rally Japan: Toyota on the way to a hat-trick

The four stages run on Saturday morning were not very exciting and only brought minor changes in the standings. The main thing to remember was the stopping of an opening car on the course which involved a red flag and incomprehension on SS 9.

Published on 18/11/2023 à 04:19

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Rally Japan: Toyota on the way to a hat-trick

With her significant lead, Elfyn Evans can safely envisage victory (Photo: Nikos Katidis/DPPI)

Under much milder skies than yesterday, the second day offered a group of 4 SS representing 40,78 km timed. Two sections took place in the forest and two short sections were traced in the town of Okazaki to the delight of the many fans.

Given the existing gaps and the virtual absence of stakes in the two championships, we should not expect a fast-paced morning. While the TV broadcast experienced some unpleasant glitches, the highlight of the start of Saturday was the presence of an opening car parked on the edge of the special during the passage of Thierry Neuville who was the first to set off. After stopping for a moment to try to understand what was happening, the Belgian finished the clock by rolling down. The “Red Flag” procedure which indicates the interruption of an ES was then triggered, but this did not prevent Takamoto Katsuta and Ott Tänak to cover several kilometers as if nothing had been announced, causing a few cold sweats and a great incomprehension. A fixed time was finally granted in this SS9 which allowed Takamoto Katsuta to get closer to only 10''7 of Ott Tänak for the victory of 8^e place. Very motivated to please his fans, the Japanese erased another 2”1 in the Lake Mikawako special (SS10) and he was only 8”6 behind the Estonian. The latter responded in Okazaki, gaining a 12”4 margin over the driver Toyota. Within the general ranking, one of the few changes was the progression of Esapekka Lappi. 7^e at the start of the stage, the Finn gained 3 places and he is now 4^e. In front of him, the positions seem fixed. The differences between the three Yaris do not encourage risk-taking on the part of three crews. Elfyn Evans is a strong leader while Sébastien Ogier has no chance of coming back from such a long delay (1'35'') on a regular basis. Third, Kalle Rovanperä is mainly thinking about Sunday which will mark the end of the season.

The competitors still have 4 sections to compete this afternoon, i.e. 41,80 km timed.

Provisional general classification at the end of SS12