Toyota WRC Challenge Program, Takamoto Katsuta can sleep peacefully

The strong commitment of Toyota WRC since 2017 has been accompanied by a certain proselytism. The brand does not want to give the image of being only interested in world titles by hiring the best in the field, it also wants to integrate the Japanese public into this adventure by allowing a local driver to compete at the highest level.

It is with this in mind that a program for hopefuls was initiated from 2015. Originally, this was done via Tommi Mäkinen's team, but the second "batch" took place under the direction of the TGR with Mikko Hirvonen as captain. During the first selection, Takamoto Katsuta was selected and the WRC's most likeable competitor is competing this year for his 4^e full year with a Yaris. Until now, Taka has often been able to perform well, but his performances are too regularly disrupted by mistakes as was the case in Finland. This lack of convincing results does not seem to pose any risk to its future in the short term. Barring a disaster, he will still be in the WRC next year. One of his strengths is that there doesn't seem to be any competition to threaten him. The recent rally of Finland has confirmed that the selected “apprentices” have a lot of work ahead of them before stealing their place…

In Finland, the task of Yuki Yamamoto (27 years old) and Hikaru Kogure (23 years old) was not easy. The two members of the TGR WRC Challenge Program were in fact confronted with the best in WRC2. Although speaking in Europe since 2022 and more particularly in Finland, shouldn't we expect better performances? Having been using the Yaris Rally2 since the start of the season, they are starting to have good experience with this car after 7 events at the wheel for the eldest and 6 for the youngest. This was not really seen. During the time trials in the forests, Yamamoto scored a pair of 7s^es time before creating a surprise in the Friday evening SS staged in Jyväskylä. The Japanese ranked 2^e. His race was interrupted on Saturday with a mechanical problem in SS14. It was 15^e of WRC2. His compatriot's performance was briefer. Kogure went off the road on SS7. At this moment, he occupied the 15^e row of the WRC2 10'' from the other white Yaris.

« Now living in Finland, Hikaru and Yuki were eager to take part in this event, concluded Mikko Hirvonen, the chief instructor of this program. However, they discovered the changing road conditions and it was a big challenge to overcome. There were a lot of positives. The main objective was to close the gap to the fastest drivers in WRC2 and they succeeded. There was nothing Yuki could have done to prevent his abandonment. It's a shame for Hikaru because he had a good Friday morning and the plan was to continue the same way in the afternoon. It was just a small mistake and he tried to save her, but unfortunately the car overturned. »

While it has not yet been specified when a choice will be made between one of the two novices, the latter will continue their season by competing in the Rallye 1000 Miglia on September 13 and 14 around Brescia in Italy.