New date brings new challenges at WRC Rally Japan
While many of the stages and surroundings on this week’s Rally Japan will be familiar, the third and final all-asphalt round of the 2026 WRC World Rally Championship will throw new curveballs for the title-chasing crews.
The Japanese co-driver winning alongside Latvala
Tomiya Maekawa explains what it’s like to co-drive for Jari-Matti Latvala after the pair won last weekend’s Historic Acropolis Rally together Sitting next to Jari-Matti… Read more The post The Japanese co-driver winning alongside Latvala appeared first on DirtFish.
Takamoto Katsuta: “There is no question, it is full attack” for WRC Rally Japan
Takamoto Katsuta says his approach for Rally Japan is “very simple”, planning a “full attack” to claim what would be an emotional home victory.All eyes in Japan will be focussed on the Toyota driver, who has been striving to deliver a home win ever since Rally Japan rejoined the WRC schedule in 2022.Katsuta has proven he has the pace to challenge for victory at the event in the …Keep reading
Neuville still expects to struggle despite recent win
Thierry Neuville still expects to struggle at this week’s Rally Japan, despite winning the latest World Rally Championship round in Portugal. The 2024 world champion… Read more The post Neuville still expects to struggle despite recent win appeared first on DirtFish.
Toyota urges calm after Vaher’s breakthrough drive
Jaspar Vaher stunned the rallying world last week by leading Royal Rally of Scandinavia, the second round of the European Rally Championship, on his very… Read more The post Toyota urges calm after Vaher’s breakthrough drive appeared first on DirtFish.
Katsuta doesn’t want to disappoint Japanese fans again
That Saturday afternoon still haunts Takamoto Katsuta. Next week, he has the opportunity to put things right. Standing chatting to the Japanese among the fairground… Read more The post Katsuta doesn’t want to disappoint Japanese fans again appeared first on DirtFish.
Heikkilä wins ERC Sweden after Suninen and Vaher crashes
Mikko Heikkilä scored his first European Rally Championship victory on Royal Rally of Scandinavia, after previous rally leaders Teemu Suninen and Jaspar Vaher both crashed… Read more The post Heikkilä wins ERC Sweden after Suninen and Vaher crashes appeared first on DirtFish.
Defender’s next step in making rally-raid history
Defender’s maiden World Rally Raid Championship program hasn’t started too badly, with back-to-back wins at Dakar and Rally-Raid Portugal – but with the Stock class… Read more The post Defender’s next step in making rally-raid history appeared first on DirtFish.
The challenges of returning to rally after nine years out
The greatest thing about sacrifice is giving in to the addiction. All that hard work to keep yourself away obliterated in one careless moment. But… Read more The post The challenges of returning to rally after nine years out appeared first on DirtFish.
Toyota “nervous” of Hyundai threat ahead of WRC gravel season run
Despite dominating the World Rally Championship season so far, Toyota remains wary of the threat posed by Hyundai, with technical director Tom Fowler admitting to being “nervous” for the remaining gravel events.Toyota has displayed a clear pace advantage over Hyundai at the start of the campaign, and had Sebastien Ogier avoided a puncture in the closing stages of Rally Portugal, the …Keep reading
The mental challenge WRC leader Elfyn Evans faces at Rally Japan
World Rally Championship leader Elfyn Evans says his approach will not change for next week’s Rally Japan, but is wary not to fall into the same trap that hampered his title bid last year.The Toyota driver heads to Japan’s asphalt stages leading the championship by 12 points from team-mate and home hero Takamoto Katsuta as the series approaches its halfway mark.As championship leader …Keep reading
WRC Portugal win puts belief back in Hyundai, says Neuville
Thierry Neuville says his Rally Portugal victory last weekend has restored belief inside Hyundai Motorsport after a frustrating start to the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship season.