After the shakedown at Kuragake Park (2,75 km) won by Ott Tanak (Hyundai), it was the Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux who set the best time in the superspecial in his last race with Ford of 2.15 km in the toboggan created inside the Toyota Stadium in Toyota City. Fourmaux preceded Tanak (Hyundai) by 5 tenths and Katsuta (Toyota) by 8 tenths, with Evans fourth at 9 tenths, and Neuville and Ogier fifth at 2.2 seconds.
From tomorrow we’ll get serious, with the Rally Japan 2024, consisting of 21 special stages for a total of 302.59 timed kmwhich will start when it is midnight in Italy with the first stage of 126 timed km which includes eight special stages, that is to say three time trials repeated twice, the most feared by all of Isegami’s Tunnel (23.67 km), followed by those of Inabu /Shitara (19.38 km) and Shinshiro (19.38 km) plus two passes in the Okazaki City show test (2.84 km). The second stage on Saturday includes 103.87 timed kmwith seven tests scheduled, while the final day on Sunday 24th will be made up of 70.57 timed km divided into 5 special stagesincluding the one in Lake Mikawako which will host the power stage at 6.15 am Italian time broadcast live by Sky Sports.
44 at the start in Japan
In Toyota City there are 44 cars at the start (last year there were 36) of which 8 Rally 1 cars will be presentgiven that Toyota will bring Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and home favorite Takamoto Katsuta to the race in the hybrid Yaris. Hyundai, on the other hand, will once again partner Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak with Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen at the wheel of the i20, with Ford MSport bringing two hybrid Pumas to the race for Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster.
In WRC 2, the presence of Sami Pajari on the Toyota Yaris Rally 2 should be notedwho will try to win or come second to win the world title in the category. Also competing in the same car will be the new British champion Chris Ingram, the Finn Heikki Kovalainen and then the Catalan Jan Solans and the home idols Hiroki Arai and Norihiko Katsuta (Takamoto’s father). We will then see Nikolay Gryazin at work again on the Citroen C3, while Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Gus Greensmith will take the Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 to the race. There will also be a “one-off” return of Didier Auriol navigated by Denis Giraudet its a Toyota Yaris Gr.
Verstappen, desire for Daytona and 24 Hours: these are the conditions
Here are two PAA related questions based on the provided text:
## World Today News Interview: Rally Japan 2024 Preview
**Welcome to World Today News, where we dissect the thrilling world of motorsport. Today, we’re joined by two experts to discuss the highly anticipated Rally Japan 2024. We have [Guest 1 Name], a renowned rally analyst, and [Guest 2 Name], former rally driver and commentator. Welcome to the show.**
**Section 1: Super Special Stage & Pre-Rally Dynamics**
* **Interviewer:** Adrien Fourmaux’ winning time in the Toyota Stadium Super Special certainly sent a message with him closing his time with Ford. What are your thoughts on this performance, and could it be a sign of things to come in the main event?
* **Interviewer:** Ott Tanak, a consistent performer, came in second in the Super Special. How do you think he’ll compete against the home favorite Katsuta and the ever-strong Toyota team on their home turf?
**Section 2: The Course & Stage Breakdown**
* **Interviewer:** Rally Japan boasts challenging and diverse stages. Can you give us a sense of what makes this rally unique compared to others on the WRC calendar?
* **Interviewer:** The Isegami Tunnel stage is notorious among drivers. What are some strategic considerations teams will be making for this particular test?
* **Interviewer:** With the final day ending with the Lake Mikawako Power Stage, how crucial will that stage be for drivers aiming for the podium?
**Section 3: Competitor Spotlight & WRC 2**
* **Interviewer:** With 44 cars starting this year compared to 36 last year, there seems to be a surge in participation. What are some key factors driving this increased interest in Rally Japan?
* **Interviewer:** Sami Pajari is on the verge of clinching the WRC 2 championship title, but faces fierce competition. How do you think he’ll respond to the pressure, and who do you see as his main challengers?
* **Interviewer:** The return of Didier Auriol in a one-off appearance is certainly noteworthy. What impact do you think his participation will have on the overall rally and on the younger generation of drivers?
**Section 4: Predictions and Expectations**
* **Interviewer:** Based on the talent pool and the challenging nature of the course, what are your early predictions for the winning podium?
* **Interviewer:** What are the key storylines you’ll be watching out for as the rally unfolds?
* **Interviewer:** Any final thoughts or advice for viewers eager to follow every revving engine and thrilling turn of Rally Japan 2024?
**Thank you both for your insightful analysis. We wish all drivers the best of luck and safe racing at Rally Japan 2024. Stay tuned to World Today News for comprehensive coverage of this exciting event.**
