Rally Japan 2022

[KiwiWRCfan]

Stage names and start times have been announced but not stage distances
https://rally-japan.jp/en/news/topics/forum8-rally-japan-2022-timetable-and-ticket-sales-confirmed/

[Eli]

Rally Japan itinerary:
http://planetemarcus.com/saison-wrc/wrc-rallye-japon-2022/

19 Stages covering (just) 283.27Kms with Friday being the longest day at 130kms. Shame it's not a longer rally, after all it is a pretty long haul to Japan, would've been nice to see 40-60kms more of competitive tarmac action.

[bearclaw]

Rally Japan itinerary:
http://planetemarcus.com/saison-wrc/wrc-rallye-japon-2022/

19 Stages covering (just) 283.27Kms with Friday being the longest day at 130kms. Shame it's not a longer rally, after all it is a pretty long haul to Japan, would've been nice to see 40-60kms more of competitive tarmac action.

this wrc events are getting in terms of stage km’s more and more ridiculous. a saturday with just 80km is a joke. same thing with new zealand. I know the days with 500km are over. but for a global rally championship at least 320km – 350km of special stages should be done.

[ouvreur]

It's all the more frustrating considering it's the last round of the year. It's not like they need to wrap things up early and get the cars / teams back to Europe quickly, in order to turn them around for another event. The money to get them out there and back is already spent, another night in the hotel shouldn't break the bank.

Why not make it 350km... run an extra leg into the early hours of Monday morning in Japan (ideal for TV - 1:00 Japan time is 18:00 CET)... imagine these cars with lamp pods on, brake discs glowing in the dark, crews having to work hard until the very last moments, all the more exciting if it somehow ends up being a championship decider.

Instead we'll have a pretty bland Sunday, finishing before most of us have even got out of bed. Terrific. Doubtless the itinerary will be unnecessarily long and stressful for everyone working on the event to 'optimise' it for All Live, despite the fact that all but a 2.75km park super special will take place between the hours of 23:00 and 8:00 in Europe... which, whether we like to admit it or not, is where the vast majority of paying subscribers live...

[AndyRAC]

They (WRC Promoter) have their template, and they won't change it. For anything......

[AnttiL]

Why not make it 350km... run an extra leg into the early hours of Monday morning in Japan (ideal for TV - 1:00 Japan time is 18:00 CET)... imagine these cars with lamp pods on, brake discs glowing in the dark, crews having to work hard until the very last moments, all the more exciting if it somehow ends up being a championship decider.

And people just cried over a boring Sunday of three stages in Greece...

[Eli]

It's all the more frustrating considering it's the last round of the year. It's not like they need to wrap things up early and get the cars / teams back to Europe quickly, in order to turn them around for another event. The money to get them out there and back is already spent, another night in the hotel shouldn't break the bank.

Why not make it 350km... run an extra leg into the early hours of Monday morning in Japan (ideal for TV - 1:00 Japan time is 18:00 CET)... imagine these cars with lamp pods on, brake discs glowing in the dark, crews having to work hard until the very last moments, all the more exciting if it somehow ends up being a championship decider.

Instead we'll have a pretty bland Sunday, finishing before most of us have even got out of bed. Terrific. Doubtless the itinerary will be unnecessarily long and stressful for everyone working on the event to 'optimise' it for All Live, despite the fact that all but a 2.75km park super special will take place between the hours of 23:00 and 8:00 in Europe... which, whether we like to admit it or not, is where the vast majority of paying subscribers live...

They should make 300kms a minimum for long haul events and B) I'd make it mandatory to have night time stages on tarmac rallies, no dust issues, and in the winter with rain adding to the challenge would make it a proper event. Highly doubt that the FIA/Promoter will change that though, all they seem to care about is having permanent car numbers written on them, etc.

[Tom K]

Most of the route is in so dense forest, that during cloudy weather first/last stages of the day should be like night :D

[WRCStan]

They should make 300kms a minimum

Or they could remove this rule to be honest with people.

[Eli]

Or they could remove this rule to be honest with people.

This rule doesn't exist, they limit rallies to 350kms.

[WRCStan]

This rule doesn't exist, they limit rallies to 350kms.

Exactly, if it doesn't exist they could go out of their way to update the rules:


10.1.2 The total distance of the special stages shall be between 300 km and 350 km.

5/13 conformed, or after cancelled stages it's more like 3/13.

[Eli]

Exactly, if it doesn't exist they could go out of their way to update the rules:



5/13 conformed, or after cancelled stages it's more like 3/13.

Please, this is the FIA we're talking about, it took them 2 years to get rid of the qualifying stage.

[Andre Oliveira]

Pajari in

Toshi Arai in C3 Rally2 too

[AnttiL]

https://app-cdn.sportity.com/768fe443-c340-4885-ae5e-5ea6b4587e90/ea60d0fd-1df1-4204-ba22-141409ed29aa_Entry%20List.pdf


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FfRIW6vXkAExZNq?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FfRIYhpXoAI4NzA?format=jpg&name=large

Entry list out.

[pantealex]

Only few years ago Arai jr and Katsuta jr were both TGR Juniors.

2022 Hiroki is driving Rally4 and Takamoto Rally1 (and both have their dads driving WRC Japan also)

[dimviii]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FfzTTWXVsAAYXCr?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FfzTT-PUYAMv2xt?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[EstWRC]

Järveoja described this rally as Corsica but slower based what he has seen so far

[AnttiL]

Järveoja described this rally as Corsica but slower based what he has seen so far

Or more like super slow Sanremo. Some Croatia as well, some super fast stuff. Interesting and challenging rally!

Some of the stages also have old video game vibes but that must be because those games were Japanese :D

[Danny0405]

https://www.autohebdo.fr/actualites/rallye/wrc/adrien-fourmaux-ne-disputera-pas-le-rallye-du-japon.html

Rumors about Fourmaux not doing Japan: well, logical to see only 2 M-Sport cars (except Serderidis) considering what they did so far but I don’t see the point of bringing Breen in Japan considering his level on tarmac (I would have tried Fourmaux instead).

[Andre Oliveira]

Serderidis will not compete too.

[bandit12]

Who will Hyundai send? According to latest news.

[EstWRC]

Who will Hyundai send? According to latest news.

What you mean?

It will be Tänak, Neuville and Sordo

[bandit12]

Why should they let Tanak gain experience from new rally.

[AnttiL]

Why should they let Tanak gain experience from new rally.

contractual things, you know.

[bandit12]

As we saw, every contract has some back door. But yeah, lets hope that there will be no such games

[Rallyest]

As we saw, every contract has some back door. But yeah, lets hope that there will be no such games

There is no such games, since it is already confirmed that Tänak will be at start in Japan with hyundai.

[AnttiL]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/fourmaux-wont-go-to-rally-japan/

[Eli]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/fourmaux-wont-go-to-rally-japan/

I think this was mentioned in the french(?) media last week, some accurate sources they have.

[Sal yet again]

One less Puma now not really a surprise I guess

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Why did the calendar send the teams to NZ then all the way back to Spain and then all the way to out again to Japan ? Couldnt Japan have followed NZ to save a lot of transport costs ?

[flat_right]

Why did the calendar send the teams to NZ then all the way back to Spain and then all the way to out again to Japan ? Couldnt Japan have followed NZ to save a lot of transport costs ?

Don't know for sure but maybe the other parts, that they don't send back to Europe and go by ship directly to Japan, don't travel that quickly and they needed a race between those two events.

[AnttiL]

I have explained this a thousand times on this forum but here goes again: the teams have two sets of service park gear, recce cars etc. One set stays in Europe, and other travels overseas by seafreight and trucks. It would have been too soon for them to be shipped directly from NZ to Japan in less than two weeks. However, in any case rally cars and the crews always fly in from home base before the rally, and directly back. Thus having a round in Europe between two overseas rallies does not make a difference for them. It's the same as having Corsica between Mexico and Argentina a few years back. The only exception was Argentina-Chile in 2019 which were linked with a two week gap and the events were located relatively close. Even most crew members stayed in South America and the cars were serviced on location between the rallies.

[TypeR]

Only Toyota used different cars on NZ and Spain.
Hyundai and M-Sport sent all cars back from NZ to Europe and were driven on rally Catalunya..

[AnttiL]

Only Toyota used different cars on NZ and Spain.
Hyundai and M-Sport sent all cars back from NZ to Europe and were driven on rally Catalunya..

Yeah but teams have different strategies. Toyota has two cars for each driver so they can rotate and service one while the other is raced. Hyundai and M-Sport primarily use the same chassis for one driver throughout the season.

For sure the Toyota cars flew home from NZ to be serviced, and it could be either Spain or NZ cars which fly to Japan.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Yeah but teams have different strategies. Toyota has two cars for each driver so they can rotate and service one while the other is raced. Hyundai and M-Sport primarily use the same chassis for one driver throughout the season.

For sure the Toyota cars flew home from NZ to be serviced, and it could be either Spain or NZ cars which fly to Japan.

And different teams have different budgets...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FgkvBE6XwAIzthK?format=jpg&name=medium

Millener M-Sport:
'Unfortunately, everything gets more expensive. We have to deal with increasing logistics costs and inflation, and at the same time we should find additional funding to cover these costs and for the drivers. It's a big challenge.'

They are even selling off old driver overalls to raise money !!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/msportstore?_trksid=p2349624.m3561.l49544

[AnttiL]

https://itgetsfasternow.com/2022/11/04/route-preview-rally-japan-2022/

Route preview finally out. I have a some sort of partial video from every stage. The stages look very challenging, interesting and unique!

[GigiGalliNo1]

Have been watching Reece videos of each stage... very narrow and tight. Look forward to being there and hoping to find some good stages to capture

[Rally Hokkaido]

Have been watching Reece videos of each stage... very narrow and tight. Look forward to being there and hoping to find some good stages to capture

Stay out of the haunted tunnel! Try to get some shots of the Daihatsu Copen. I reckon it is a top ten chance as its the only car in the rally that can get through the narrow tarmac sections, lol.

[TypeR]

Based on Instagram posts/stories..

All Toyota guys already in Japan and having dinners, Hyundai guys also (even Solberg) eating together, but not a single story/post from Tanak or Jarveoja :D

Are they busy with contracts or coming at last minute with M-Sport guys? :D

[AnttiL]

Based on Instagram posts/stories..

All Toyota guys already in Japan and having dinners, Hyundai guys also (even Solberg) eating together, but not a single story/post from Tanak or Jarveoja :D

Are they busy with contracts or coming at last minute with M-Sport guys? :D

And Lappi is not with the Toyota guys (even for recce only)

[bandit12]

And Neuville is not hanging out with remaining Hyunday boys. Busy signing contracts with Lappi and Breen?

[TypeR]

Solved the thing :D
Lappi took this photo
https://www.upload.ee/image/14645615/Screenshot_20221106-165210_Instagram.jpg

and Tanak this one
https://www.upload.ee/image/14645626/Screenshot_20221106-165345_Instagram.jpg

[pantealex]

Solved the thing :D
Tänak took this photo
https://www.upload.ee/image/14645615/Screenshot_20221106-165210_Instagram.jpg

and Lappi this one
https://www.upload.ee/image/14645626/Screenshot_20221106-165345_Instagram.jpg

Changed the names ;)

[seb_sh]

the silliest of silly seasons :D

[Rally Hokkaido]

For some reason, all the overseas recce cars have temporary Japanese number plates fitted (diagonal red stripe). In the past, they could use their original plates, as long as they bought local third party insurnace.. N.B. temporary plates are issued by local councils, not the National Government that controls vehicle registration. These temporary plates have Nagoya (City) written on them, so maybe it is a sponsorship deal.

[TypeR]

any chance that Solberg is driving as 3rd car?
He was supposed to do recce anyway, but still hasn't seen #8 guys :D

[EstWRC]

any chance that Solberg is driving as 3rd car?
He was supposed to do recce anyway, but still hasn't seen #8 guys :D

They never post or are seen before the recce is done

So relax :D

[meh]

Actually, it's interesting to see, if and how much Neuville want to prove that he is the best in Hyundai. Landing behind Tänak on Championship standings - practically he can take 2nd place if Tänak fails/retires and he is doing really well (1st or 2nd + a lot of PS points).

Otherwise, it is fight for the rally win. No one cares about Championship points too much I guess.

Luckily, in WRC2 it's a bit different story and I hope we can get nice coverage on that ...

[manthey]

For some reason, all the overseas recce cars have temporary Japanese number plates fitted (diagonal red stripe). In the past, they could use their original plates, as long as they bought local third party insurnace.. N.B. temporary plates are issued by local councils, not the National Government that controls vehicle registration. These temporary plates have Nagoya (City) written on them, so maybe it is a sponsorship deal.Why not using a proper roadversion Hyundai i20N for recce instead of old bmw 1?
Msport still using volvo?

[AnttiL]

M-Sport moved into Focus RS recce cars already some years ago.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak:
“After three years with Hyundai Motorsport, this is going to be my last one with them, so I hope that we can find a good feeling on the roads and finish the season and our partnership on a high note.”

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/tanak-wishes-to-end-hyundai-wrc-partnership-on-a-high/10396254/

[EstWRC]

For user TypeR

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221108/5dcafef24b47493f9ed5b839dd1c1ede.jpg

[TypeR]

Thank you, finally can sleep


:D

[EstWRC]

What’s to come https://twitter.com/takamotokatsuta/status/1589892159796543489?s=46&t=DXmt1r8Ysz7MrPDNCr78og

[AnttiL]

What’s to come https://twitter.com/takamotokatsuta/status/1589892159796543489?s=46&t=DXmt1r8Ysz7MrPDNCr78og

SS8+11, you can see more of that stage on my blog post ;)

[seb_sh]

What’s to come https://twitter.com/takamotokatsuta/status/1589892159796543489?s=46&t=DXmt1r8Ysz7MrPDNCr78og

Looks like it will be difficult with the hybrid on such twisty and narrow roads. Also nice that it looks different to the other rallies we have. Excited to finally have this rally take place!

[Tauri_J]

What’s to come https://twitter.com/takamotokatsuta/status/1589892159796543489?s=46&t=DXmt1r8Ysz7MrPDNCr78og

Lol one could think it is looped

[pantealex]

Why not using a proper roadversion Hyundai i20N for recce instead of old bmw 1?
Msport still using volvo?

Those old BMW 1-Series are 4WD but i20N is only 2WD

MSport is using old Focus 4WD, current Focus is only available with 2WD

[AnttiL]

https://www.rally-maps.com/Rally-Japan-2022

[mknight]

What’s to come https://twitter.com/takamotokatsuta/status/1589892159796543489?s=46&t=DXmt1r8Ysz7MrPDNCr78og

Tune in drivers complaining that it is too narrow and impossible to "play" with the car.

Historically I'd expect Rovanpera and maybe Neuville to struggle. Ogier should like this.

[cali]

Neuville like twisty stuff

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[AnttiL]

Ogier should like this.

Ogier is my favourite as well.

[mknight]

Neuville like twisty stuff

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

I believe Neuville is good on twisty stuff where he can (again) throw the car into corners, so hairpins and similar. If it gets too narrow and short corners that won't work as well.
But that's just a guess.

In either case I believe we will see some noticable changes of pace compared with Spain.

[mknight]

In other news I expect Tanak to be pretty much invisible (a bit like in Spain), driving on autopilot somewhere around 4th place in pace (without retirements). We have seen that before when he does not have motivation at the end of the season and ending in the team (Australia 2017).

[flat_right]

Tänak has usually been very good on new stages where no one has driven with full speed yet. So I expect him to do very well.

[seb_sh]

Well boys put your pickems where your mouth is :D

My guess is Ogier vs Neuville for the win.

[skarderud]

I guess Neuville crash in an attempt to beat Tänak, Rovenpära win.

Sent fra min SM-G950F via Tapatalk

[Rallyper]

Well, who´s gonna win?

As seb_sh says, make your Pickems.

Closing within just over 24 hrs...

[EstWRC]

Really difficult to predict the winner

Everybody saying in the dirtfish team talk that’s is so tight and twisty and you make one mistake and you will be out

Kalle said right away he doesn’t like this kind of stuff

Ogier has a new codriver, so it can also take some time to get into rhythm

Tänak isn’t also good on twisty stuff. It’s similar to Corsica and that rally was his Achilles heel

So maybe in the end it really is Neuville who is kinda favorite at the moment

We will see

[AnttiL]

Kalle also saying that the road could clean from the leaves and stuff on the road, but there won't be stuff dragged onto the road because there's really no places to cut, meaning later starters could benefit.

[AnttiL]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rally-japan-tipped-to-be-trickiest-event-of-the-year/

[svstock]

Vote now! https://strawpoll.com/polls/6QnM7WKBkZe Your pick! OVERALL
Vote closing 10.11.2022 / 23:59 EEST

Vote now! https://strawpoll.com/polls/GJn4GPqpXyz Your pick! POWER STAGE
Vote closing 13.11.2022 / 07:00 EEST

[greencroft]

My heart says it’s time for Evans to win but my head says it will be Neuville.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak giving nothing away but to me he doesnt sound like he's going to retire..

https://youtu.be/v4kr007qb9c

[WRCStan]

Tanak giving nothing away but to me he doesnt sound like he's going to retire..

https://youtu.be/v4kr007qb9c

I think he just wanted to get to the sushi and Korean barbeque questions.

[Essaj]

No shakedown live due to technical difficulties :(

[Eli]

No shakedown live due to technical difficulties :(

Really hope this doesn't happen tomorrow when we're staying up all night to watch the rally.

[Rally Hokkaido]

Good morning all, Evans and Neuville topping the time sheet after 1st run.

[KKS]

For many tech problems during a year wrc+ could do one rally for free...

[MartinH3000]

No shakedown live due to technical difficulties :(
The stream going down or having difficulties is annoying but the total lack of communication from the WRC promoters is unacceptable. We pay good money for this service every year.

[drive]

THAT tunnel is LONG... https://youtu.be/OvIXkhCPsTU

[TypeR]

Finally an amazing coverage from shakedown, have been waiting so long for rally Japan :)

[Eli]

Finally an amazing coverage from shakedown, have been waiting so long for rally Japan :)

Are you being sarcastic or did they show anything eventually?

[flat_right]

Are you being sarcastic or did they show anything eventually?

I think if there is "amazing" in the sentence, then it is sarcasm from Ott's sentence "the quality is amazing"

[AnttiL]

If anyone ever says anything good about WRC+ here, it's sarcasm :)

[TypeR]

Not always, if AllLive works then it is very good + I really like live maps and heli shots.

[Rallyper]

I know and agree we should expect a lot more from WRC+.

But - and the comparison is maybe not adequate - but me being about ten yrs old in the 60´s had to wait 48 hrs getting the final result from Rally Monte Carlo in the morning newspaper. Nothing more. No written material (if not a swede had won...) That was all, back then. In Sweden...

So I´m happy anyway for my invested 99 Euros for a whole year. ;)

[Rally Hokkaido]

Pajari is showing good speed.

[Rallyper]

Look up for one of the last right corners. Munster and Suninen had big problems at the spot.

[doubled1978]

I know and agree we should expect a lot more from WRC+.

But - and the comparison is maybe not adequate - but me being about ten yrs old in the 60´s had to wait 48 hrs getting the final result from Rally Monte Carlo in the morning newspaper. Nothing more. No written material (if not a swede had won...) That was all, back then. In Sweden...

So I´m happy anyway for my invested 99 Euros for a whole year. ;)

Me too. We used to get some updates on BBC Radio a long time back, but out watching the rallies the Brian & Liz Patterson Rally Updates printed out of the back of a car and handed out to spectators were the only source of keeping up with what was going on.
I’m happy with my investment, sure there are a few technical glitches now and again, but overall I think it’s great and good value.

[Eli]

God the cars look amazing in the dark, the organisers should get a knock hit on their head for not including proper night stages, hope they correct that for 2023.

[TypeR]

Noticed it yesterday and today on openimg ceremony, Tänak was wearing full black cap with no text. Usually he doesn't wear any at all.. will there be some interesting logo on it soon?

[Eli]

Noticed it yesterday and today on openimg ceremony, Tänak was wearing full black cap with no text. Usually he doesn't wear any at all.. will there be some interesting logo on it soon?

Yes (just speculating), I won’t be surprised if we see him in Toyota colours sooner rather than later.

[EstWRC]

He has had it since the beginning of the season

I even remember the opening ceremony photo from Monte where everybody had sponsored gap and Tänak just black one

[AnttiL]

Toshi Arai crashed, stage stopped

[Tauri_J]

Sunday's forecast looking pretty wet.

[flat_right]

Yes (just speculating), I won’t be surprised if we see him in Toyota colours sooner rather than later.

I don't know if it is just me but if I have followed Tänak's interviews in Estonian media (betsafe) and also somewhere else, he really praises Japan and has many good things to say about the country and people. Maybe it's just wishful thinking but just wanted to share it.

[cali]

I don't know if it is just me but if I have followed Tänak's interviews in Estonian media (betsafe) and also somewhere else, he really praises Japan and has many good things to say about the country and people. Maybe it's just wishful thinking but just wanted to share it.I WISH he would go to M-Sport
I THINK (based on the clues that I've got) he will go to Toyota
I DON'T WANT him to retire just now, but I UNDERSTAND if he does so.

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[spyros]

If i was Toyoda i;ll sign Tanak and Neuvile to share a car.

[bandit12]

If i was Toyoda i;ll sign Tanak and Neuvile to share a car.
If my dick had a fingernail, my dick would be a thumb

Old turkmenistan saying...

[PLuto]

Toshi Arai crashed, stage stopped

Does anyone know any details regarding the crash?

[AnttiL]

Does anyone know any details regarding the crash?

I saw a picture with the car on a tow truck, seems like hit a tree behind the co-driver. Both crew members were taken to hospital for checks. According to GPS the crash was near the beginning of the stage.

Here is the pic

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhM6M78aYAEGJxt?format=jpg&name=medium

https://twitter.com/hankaku_1341/status/1590679107159097344

[PLuto]

I saw a picture with the car on a tow truck, seems like hit a tree behind the co-driver. Both crew members were taken to hospital for checks. According to GPS the crash was near the beginning of the stage.

Here is the pic

Thanks. It was big crash and stage cancelled, so I was sure it was quite serious.

[Rallyper]

So, Anyone here this late western Europe night?

Delayed...?

[satnav]

Yes Per, the stage is delayed .........

[Allez Andruet]

So, Anyone here this late western Europe night?

Delayed...?

Stage delayed, just confirmed on Finnish broadcast.

[EstWRC]

Me. Always watching

[Eli]

So, Anyone here this late western Europe night?

Delayed...?

Yep, they haven’t stated why.

[jonkka]

So, Anyone here this late western Europe night?

Aye aye, this part of the night is the easy one. Getting up again after few hours of sleep in the early morning will be tougher.

[seb_sh]

watching, waiting...

[satnav]

Going by the tracking, Kalle has now started

[Rallyper]

Aye aye, this part of the night is the easy one. Getting up again after few hours of sleep in the early morning will be tougher.

I sure will not. Too old... :)

Now. Bring it on!

[seb_sh]

unfortunately starts with Becs and PK clueless combo

[seb_sh]

on the other hand we finally have rally Japan! let's go!

[Eli]

Aye aye, this part of the night is the easy one. Getting up again after few hours of sleep in the early morning will be tougher.

Sunday will be the toughest as they start a bit later than today I think and they’ll keep us awake during the night.

[seb_sh]

reminds me of Initial D they should have some Eurobeat soundtrack :D

[EstWRC]

Huge loss for Tänak in first split, 2.9 seconds

[jonkka]

Sunday will be the toughest as they start a bit later than today I think and they’ll keep us awake during the night.

Truth to be told, I haven't dared to check itinerary that far yet. :eek:

[Jarek Z]

Aye aye, this part of the night is the easy one. Getting up again after few hours of sleep in the early morning will be tougher.

We have the Independence Day in Poland tomorrow which is national holiday, so I can stay up the whole night. GO Kajto! :)

[EstWRC]

Incredible stage!

[seb_sh]

+1 to WRC+ they managed to show the tunnel, even if it's a replay

[Rallyper]

The tunnel...

[meh]

and the tunnel is now full of dust.. nice visibility for others

[EstWRC]

What a dust at the end of the tunnel after Kalle

[Rallyper]

Dust!!!! The following cars after Kalle loses seconds!

[Eli]

And Kalle’s car is filled up with smoke.

[seb_sh]

looks like they steer the car more with the pedals than the wheel on these kind of stages

[EstWRC]

Neuville coming great, lost only 1.5 in tunnel with the dust while Tänak lost 5

[seb_sh]

Ogier seems to have had to change a puncture!

[seb_sh]

And Sordo stopped!

[Rallyper]

Sordo stopped. Seemed creepy...

[EstWRC]

Ogier and Sordo with puncture

[Essaj]

Sordos car is on fire, at least reason for sos

[seb_sh]

oh shit Sordo on fire!

[Rallyper]

Full fire on Sordos car!!!

[Rally Hokkaido]

Dani's car is on fire!

[jcevc]

Best approximation for this rally in Europe is Rally Alpi Orientali I think (few years ago was still part of CIR) - some stages of this rally are slow and twisty like this first friday stage (for example SS Mersino), but the grip is much higher in Italy.

[Rally Hokkaido]

Gus has stopped to help extinguish it (stage will be red flagged)

[Rallyper]

Stage stopped. Must have been! Out of firedistinguisis

[Rallyper]

Car is now full burned out.

Now. There´s a problem with those batteries burning as well. You can´t just take care of the car just like that. The battery needs certain handling...

[seb_sh]

wow, that's going to burn to a crisp

[Rally Hokkaido]

Car will be destroyed!

[EstWRC]

How will Gus get on next stage

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Fully gutted car. Shame.

[seb_sh]

How will Gus get on next stage

he needs a new fire extinguisher to be allowed to start right?

[Rally Hokkaido]

How will Gus get on next stage

This was my fear looking at the itinerary - long stages on narrow roads in a mountain area = high risk of stage stoppage and lengthy delay due to lack of alternate routes.

[WRCStan]

Nobody wants to see this wherever your allegiances lie or not.

[Rallyper]

Sordo stopped. Seemed creepy...

Told you it sounded creepy...

[mknight]

Seeing both Kalle in finish with smoke and Breen with grill full of leaves as well as leaves catching fire on brakes /rims.

Looks like multiple parts of the cars might have issues with the very slow speed constant turning and leaves everywhere blocking cooling (dif, hybrid, brakes).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kalle's car was also smoking... high brake temps and low speeds causing issues ?

[WRCStan]

That car was the only one to do every other round too. Two wins for Ott.

RIP 904.

[rp]

That car was the only one to do every other round too. Two wins for Ott.

RIP 904.

Oh no! It was Ott´s winning car in Finland & Italy. Should have been in the museum already.

[OHL]

Losing a car like this is never good. Glad they are okay.

[drive]

Kalle had some smoke, but Sordo .... flames... https://youtu.be/FUpsfMyZa4w

[HarriK]

Kajto also offroad according Finland TV.

Lähetetty minun AC2003 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

[Rally Hokkaido]

How will Gus get on next stage

Assuming he can obtain a replacement fire extinguisher in time, its installation will have to be approved by a scrutineer. Also, in my opinion, a stage commander could do so if stage commanders are listed as judges of fact in the sup regs.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Mesh for keeping the leaves from blocking the grille didnt work M-Sport...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhPM1UMXgAgxOYC?format=jpg&name=900x900

[WRCStan]

Think I lip read double puncture for Ogier.

Molly asks: "and only the one spare?"

"Yeah but it doesn't matter our race is already over"

[seb_sh]

Tarmac Safari

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ogier gutted to lose the time meaning he cant win already.

[WRCStan]

Ogier gutted to lose the time meaning he cant win already.

He's retired if it is a double puncture.

[Eli]

So..stage 3 cancelled? delayed for now, anyone knows if Gus got another fire extinguisher?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sébastien Ogier@SebOgier
SS2 Isegami's Tunnel 1

⚠️ Dropped 2'43.9 after stopping to change a wheel.

[EstWRC]

Im afraid we won’t see the next two stages

Don’t understand why Sordo couldn’t park more on the side

[mknight]

Im afraid we won’t see the next two stages

Don’t understand why Sordo couldn’t park more on the side

Maybe he was more focused on getting alive out of a burning car?

As a second step, when your car is burning you park it in the middle of the road not next to the trees/bushes/leaves on the side.

[seb_sh]

so can i go to sleep or not?

[TypeR]

If next two are cancelled, then it would be a total mess.. yes, a burnt car is bad thing, but crew is okay and race should go on..

[Essaj]

WRC - FIA World Rally Championship
@OfficialWRC
⚠️ SS3 @rallyjpofficial
has been cancelled as drivers reroute themselves to the beginning of SS4.

[Eli]

so can i go to sleep or not?

https://twitter.com/officialwrc/status/1590845516329648128?s=61&t=EFEV73N4tUzouYGIK8Irbw

Seems they’re heading to stage 4.

[drive]

yes, what happened is sad, but here we have World Championship, not a freaking local small rally.... and 21st century .... and all available media channels.... and still from the organizers/wrc promoters ZERO communication... THAT IS WORST...

[TypeR]

WRC - FIA World Rally Championship
@OfficialWRC
⚠️ SS3 @rallyjpofficial
has been cancelled as drivers reroute themselves to the beginning of SS4.
Oh well..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

WRC+ should be on air telling us what's going on, not just stills from the season.

[WRC1]

Stage 3 is canceld....we (europeans) can go to sleep....

[Eli]

Good thing the rally is so long that we have another 320kms to go…oh wait.

[rp]

Good night!

[TypeR]

Good thing the rally is so long that we have another 320kms to go…oh wait.

Don't worry... 500+ km of liaison still to go :)

[WRCStan]

SS4 is 35 minutes away. Why sleep now??

[seb_sh]

SS4 is 35 minutes away. Why sleep now??

it's late in continental europe of course we're nuts so we'll wait but yeah...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS4 is 35 minutes away. Why sleep now??

Going to bed now... but will watch SS4 on my phone then I'm all ready to sleep !

[seb_sh]

wrc+ is showing stage 4 delayed

[WRCStan]

Kajto crashed in SS2 and retired

[seb_sh]

Kajto crashed in SS2 and retired

that's big for Lindholm!

[satnav]

Arrival time for Kalle at TC4 is 09:17 according to COC Communication 8 so SS4 start time should be 09:20 local time

[seb_sh]

the smart people are sleeping already and gonna watch the 2nd pass when they wake up :P

[EstWRC]

Arrival time for Kalle at TC4 is 09:17 according to COC Communication 8 so SS4 start time should be 09:20 local time

According to wrc+ it is 09.02

[Tauri_J]

Good thing the rally is so long that we have another 320kms to go…oh wait.

Joke of a rally

[EstWRC]

Kajito
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221110/f57a0c6e8d36d147b1188715fe39d5b4.jpg

[seb_sh]

Kajito
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221110/f57a0c6e8d36d147b1188715fe39d5b4.jpg

Tarmac Safari, now Lindholm needs to bring it home

Also they need Eurobeat soundtrack for these stages, for those who don't know, check out Initial D

[Rally Hokkaido]

Joke of a rally

Probably the competitors behind Toshi Arai are thinking this as they head to SS4 without having done any stage kms!

[Rally Hokkaido]

Listening to interview with Dani, it seems fire was caused by fuel leak in rear of car?!

[seb_sh]

happy i stayed up for this thanks wrc+

[EstWRC]

Hopeless
Coverage

[TypeR]

happy i stayed up for this thanks wrc+

Impressive images of a white bridge, Pirelli sign and colouful forest..

[WRCStan]

Love the lines on that white bridge.

[Rally Hokkaido]

Love the lines on that white bridge.

It looks like the bulkhead of an old racing car with huge lightening holes. P.S. why are we discussing the scenery? Where's NOT?

[drive]

ok ok, if your wrc+ lagging take a look at haunted tunnel onboard :) https://youtu.be/yQDAi3SffV8

[WRCStan]

Slower replay needed

[KKS]

Listening to interview with Dani, it seems fire was caused by fuel leak in rear of car?!
Hyundai must hire ab expirience driver who can manage fuel fire leak... oh wait...
Fumes at Monte for Oliver, now this. Hyundai can't build even working car. Speechless about not be understeering 24/7

[EstWRC]

Tänak again with transmission issue

Story of the season

[EstWRC]

Neuville and understeer again

Story of his career

[TypeR]

Oh, there is rally going on.. let's interview some guys at the end of stage.. but not first guys

[Essaj]

Breen stopped

[WRCStan]

Tänak again with transmission issue

Story of the season

AllLive again with transmission issue

Second story of the season

[EstWRC]

What a time for Evans. Driving for his seat?

[WRCStan]

No double puncture for Seb, I'm happy to be wrong.

[TypeR]

Breen stopped for some time.. oh, let's not show him :)

[EstWRC]

Breen off and broken driveshaft for Gus

[EstWRC]

Lol stage stopped again

What a great rally

[Rally Hokkaido]

Stage is stopped?

[Rally Hokkaido]

Probably the competitors behind Toshi Arai are thinking this as they head to SS4 without having done any stage kms!

AMENDED: ...as they head to Service Park...

[KKS]

Lindholm?

[satnav]

There are some drivers who haven't done a stage yet

[Rally Hokkaido]

Lindholm?

Hard to tell from the amazing coverage, but he stopped and Reeta got out of the car and he started to get out, then we saw him driving some more before he stopped again when they realised the stage was stopped.

[WRCStan]

Everybody but Breen moving through the stage

[SubaruNorway]

Lindholm got going again, weird... Like there was something with Munster's co driver?

[Essaj]

Lindholm reported that civilian car was on the stage https://twitter.com/JuhoKooo/status/1590874282095443968

[Rally Hokkaido]

There are some drivers who haven't done a stage yet

and three of them have even managed to collect time penalties, clown world!
Penalty
#43 flag Sasaki Yasuyuki - Nakashima Anri logo Toyota GR Yaris 0:20 - Late (2 min) at TC
#45 flag Yamamoto Yuta - Tachikui Kazuko logo Toyota GR86 0:10 - Late (1 min) at TC
#49 flag Aihara Taisuke - Hagino Tsukasa logo Daihatsu Copen 0:30 - Late (3 min) at TC

[focus206]

Lol, this rally. Hopefully we'll get one completely run stage.
I see Evans as the favourite, and this could be a now or never to remain in Toyota.

[steve.mandzij]

Shame that everything has been going wrong, what little we've seen of the stages are nothing short of spectacular IMO. Hopefully the afternoon goes a bit smoother.

[J4MIE]

If Lindholm didn’t see an ok board, why did he keep going?

[J4MIE]

There are some drivers who haven't done a stage yet

Never forget, that if you are outside P1 or maybe even P2, the WRC does not care if you drive any stages or not. You WILL be sacrificed so that the more important P1 crews don’t have any delays to their schedule.

[Rally Hokkaido]

Never forget, that if you are outside P1 or maybe even P2, the WRC does not care if you drive any stages or not. You WILL be sacrificed so that the more important P1 crews don’t have any delays to their schedule.

J4MIE, I was nodding my head when I read your Safari Rally stories - been there, done that with two lower order teams on two WRCs in two different countries! Eg, how about having to recce several daylight stages in total darkness or having a swamp for a service area when the big boys were all on high ground? Don't get me started on paperwork & scrutineering issues!

[TypeR]

https://www.upload.ee/image/14657873/73369_sordo_explains_what_happened_in_dramatic_ss2 _fire__dirtfish_11-_11-_2022_2-36-57.jpg

[Rally Hokkaido]

I notice that, after his puncture, Seb is now in last place on the leaderboard, 20 secs behind the Daihatsu Copen (which has a 30 sec penalty!). Admittedly this morning was an extreme case, though maybe the notional times calculation needs more tweeking. Anyway, let's hope the rally gets back on the rails, this afternoon.

[SubaruNorway]

They are not running ss7 now because Breen took down a guard rail, shortened 5 because of Sordo

[TypeR]

Awesome.. let's better cancel whole afternoon loop

[EstWRC]

They are not running ss7 now because Breen took down a guard rail, shortened 6 because of Sordo

You mean shortened ss5?

[WRC1]

Awesome.. let's better cancel whole afternoon loop

lets cancel this whole BS and go back to Monza for the final round!

[EstWRC]

Kalle and Ott both have seemed to lost their mojo after New Zealand

[Eli]

So we have SS6 and that’s it for the day?

Edit: saw now they cancelled because of the barrier.

[EstWRC]

Unbelievable https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/pajari-had-to-avoid-civilian-car-on-rally-japan-ss4/

[EstWRC]

Breen

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221111/09cfae75da2bc928096712a8c0f74389.jpg

[TypeR]

Too bad they couldn't fix it in around 4-5h time..

[Arnold Triyudho Wardono]

lets cancel this whole BS and go back to Monza for the final round!And return to Hokkaido

Sent from my M2010J19CG using Tapatalk

[Doon]

Is this a non-spectator event? Hardly seen anyone on the stages.

[EstWRC]

Tänak lost the hybrid in second half of the stage

I think he has had only ss5 without problems so far

[Tauri_J]

What a garbage of a rally. Travel all the way to Japan to cover 230 competetive kms...If we are lucky.

[EstWRC]

Where Evans suddenly found this speed and NOW

Veeeery interesting

[Eli]

Is this a non-spectator event? Hardly seen anyone on the stages.

Guess a lot of them are still working on Friday.

[EstWRC]

All stage wins for Toyota

[Tauri_J]

Where Evans suddenly found this speed and NOW

Veeeery interesting

Corsica in Japan.

[Hartusvuori]

Is this a non-spectator event? Hardly seen anyone on the stages.

Spectators allowed only on the designed areas that are few. AFAIK all the tickets are sold out, even if they cost over 90 euros per stage.

[mknight]

Quick calculation:
Reduced points if 25% of stage kms are cancelled.

For Japan this is 70,75km.
Already cancelled about 53 km. (counting the "reduced length" stage).

[cali]

Corsica in Japan.If you look at his body language you see one really angered fella behind the wheel and at the stage end comments.

Sent from my DN2103 using Tapatalk

[Eli]

Some images from what was left of Sordo's car after the fire: https://www.rallye-magazin.de/wrc/artikel/evans-knapp-vorn-sordo-nach-feuer-raus-49267/

[Rallyest]

Not implying anything, but funny Tänak=transmission error, Tänak=Hybrid error

Thierry = no error

[Rallyper]

Pajari doing well after all. Good boy.
Hope Emil will get the title.

[flat_right]

Not implying anything, but funny Tänak=transmission error, Tänak=Hybrid error

Thierry = no error

This is like Alonso in F1. Ocon = no troubles, Alonso = “What are you doing this year to me?"

[Fast Eddie WRC]

MSport highlights inc Breen crash...

https://youtu.be/M3SSoOnG-u0

[Eli]

Unbelievable https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/pajari-had-to-avoid-civilian-car-on-rally-japan-ss4/

Regarding that: https://www.rallit.fi/mita-ihmetta-suomalaiskuskeilla-vaarallinen-tilanne-mm-rallissa-fia-kaski-sulkemaan-suut/

Apparently the FIA told them to keep their mouth shut, wish I could say I'm surprised.