© Jun Uruno
The 13th round of the WRC 2022 season, the Rally of Japan, held its opening SS1 on November 10 (Thursday), where Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier set a best time of 2: 07: 0 to take the lead. Craig Breen, of M-Sport Ford, was 0.1 seconds ahead of the second fastest time. Hyundai’s Ott Tänak was in 3rd place, 0.2 seconds behind.
After the shakedown in the morning, the spectators entered the Toyota Stadium in the afternoon, where the service park was located. After the autograph session of the best drivers, a grand starting ceremony with a Japanese touch took place at the stadium. The crew played the prepared giant drums on the podium and headed for the SS1 “Kuragaike Park SSS”, which smoothly passed Kuragaike Park.
The SS1, set in a completely dark park, is 2.75 km long including a narrow and winding stretch that includes a runabout. Bruno Brascia, WRC2 regular, started in reverse order. M-Sport’s Gus Greensmith entered the track first in the first rally. They will start one after the other in order according to the drivers’ classification.
Takamoto Katsuta, who appeared in the 5th car in the first rally, was 1.9 seconds behind Sébastien Ogier, the leader so far, and finished in 7th place. After that, no driver seemed to beat Ogier’s time and the last time, Calle Rovanpera, was 0.6 seconds behind, 5th fastest. As a result, Ogier set the best time of the opening phase.
Ogier, who this time started working with new co-driver Vincent Lande, said: “The reconnaissance has been quite difficult, but Vincent has done a good job so far. Tonight’s short stage will be tomorrow. It was a good one. test for 2019. So far is going well. The real thing starts tomorrow! “he said with a smile.
Like Ogier, this will also be his first rally with new partner James Fulton and Breen is 0.1 seconds ahead of the second fastest time.
“It’s really difficult for James because it’s such a difficult first rally with me. It’s like crashing in the middle of the Atlantic all of a sudden (laughs). It’s going to be a tough weekend, so I hope you like it. ‘, Worried Fulton.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta, who entered the home event, finished in 7th place, 1.7 seconds behind the best Ogier. “Everywhere I looked there were Japanese fans and I had a really good start. However, the stages are difficult and this weekend will be a great challenge. From tomorrow I will push.”
In addition, Toshihiro Arai, who entered WRC2 with the Citroen C3 Rally 2, crashed about 500 meters from the start and Arai and co-driver Naoya Tanaka were examined in hospital. Also, the cancellation of the SS1 was announced for the following cars because the car stopped in a way that blocked the route.
The second day of competition will consist of 6 SS from SS2 to SS7 in the Inabu area, with a distance of 130.22 km. The inauguration of SS2 will begin at 7:02 am on November 11th.
Provisional results of the WRC Rally Japan after SS1
1. S. Ogier (Toyota GR Yaris Rally 1) 2: 07.0
2. C. Breen (Ford Puma Hybrid Rally 1) +0.1
3. O. Tanak (Hyundai i20 N Rally 1) +0.2
4. T. Neuville (Hyundai i20 N Rally 1) +0.3
5. K. Rovanpera (Toyota GR Yaris Rally 1) +0.6
6. E. Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally 1) +1.2
7. Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota GR Yaris Rally 1) +1.9
8. G. Greensmith (Ford Puma Hybrid Rally 1) +2.2
9. D. Sold (Hyundai i20 N Rally 1) +3.1
10. E. Lindholm (Skoda Fabia Rally 2 Evo) +4.0
11. S. Payali (Skoda Fabia Rally 2 Evo) +4.0
