Japan World Rally Championship: Day Two Updates
As the excitement of the World Rally Championship unfolds in Japan, Saturday marks a critical point with seven special stages to navigate.
In the heart of the action, Kalle Rovanperä is on a determined comeback trail, having recently begun his pursuit. The champion was eager to improve his standing after a challenging day prior.
Current Standings After Special Exam 8/20
- Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) – 1:21:59.1
- Elfyn Evans (Toyota) – +8.9 seconds
- Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) – +9.5 seconds
- Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai) – +22.4 seconds
- Sami Pajari (Toyota) – +24.3 seconds
- Ott Tänak (Hyundai) – +1:20.7
- Gréguire Munster (Ford) – +2:56.8
Insights from EK9
Rovanperä’s day began promisingly; a strong performance in the opening stage vaulted him to 13th place. However, climbing the ranks would not come easily, as he faced a daunting 37.4-second gap to Gus Greensmith ahead of him.
Determined to narrow that distance, Rovanperä tackled the demanding 21-kilometer Ena special test. “It’s quite difficult. The car understeers a lot,” he remarked. “We’re trying to maintain pace, but it’s not easy.”
Meanwhile, Sami Pajari experienced a close call after losing control on some slippery asphalt. Fortunately, quick reflexes—and a soft nudge from the roadside—got his Yaris back on track.
The Challenge of EK8
Saturday’s competitions kicked off with a 16-kilometer stretch through Obara, just as dawn broke in Japan. With drivers still shaking off sleep, Rovanperä, who had slipped to 17th due to a mishap the previous day, was first to conquer the course.
“Conditions were good from the start. It felt nice to drive,” he commented. “We’re aiming to push ourselves back into the top ten.”
Unfortunately, reigning world champion Thierry Neuville’s day faced an unexpected setback when a broken drive shaft rendered his Hyundai inoperable for a portion of the test. “I’ll probably head back to maintenance after this,” he noted, a move that may see Hyundai slip behind Rovanperä in the overall standings.
Pajari, although initially appearing sluggish, finished just 1.6 seconds behind Fourmaux’s pace. “It didn’t go quite as well as I hoped. We’re just trying to drive as best as we can,” he reflected, embodying the spirit of resilience that defines rally racing.
Stay tuned as the competition rallies on in Japan, where every second counts and the road ahead is fraught with challenges.