[WRC] FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024

It looks Mikkelsen is confirmed in Japan.

No Rovanpera also confirmed.

Wonder if there is an element of not "benching" Katsuta from manu team on a Japanese rally.

He did well in CER and also did quite well last two times in Japan. But still he is no Rovanpera.

Losing both titles to a Korean manu on home soil would be extremely bad optics in that country.

I didn't watch Japan last year, but I'm currently watching the replays.

The commentators keep talking about how it's not Rovanpera's kind of road.

Katsuta looks very handy when he's not crashing.

Tanak also looks good in the M-Sport.

The wet weather was a real spectacle on day one. And I really like these stages, it might be my favourite rally of 2023 given that Monte was a bit tame. Looking forward to 2024.

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Originally Posted by mknight

No Rovanpera also confirmed.

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Good news for Hyundai. Also good news for Tanak, one less competitor that could keep him out of the top 3 he needs for Saturday.

Tanak: If Neuville is “smart" there is "no chance" to win WRC title...

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/t...tle-/10665347/

So no Rovanpera as he's already done his half-a-season (7/13 Rounds). This is pretty amazing considering how Ogier has done so many extra rallies to try to help Toyota.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rovan...season-finale/

so why will rovanpera skip Japan? what's his plan in that week

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Originally Posted by 1988senna

so why will rovanpera skip Japan? what's his plan in that week

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He is doing a half-season this year because he wants some time off, so he contracted for a certain number of rallies (six or seven?). Earlier this year he did Poland at the last minute to cover for Ogier who crashed badly in practice, so now he's done what was agreed.

As for his plan... Kick back, I guess.

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

So no Rovanpera as he's already done his half-a-season (7/13 Rounds). This is pretty amazing considering how Ogier has done so many extra rallies to try to help Toyota.

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rovan...season-finale/

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For sure Ogier hasn't suddenly abandoned his part time plan for any other reason now did he?

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Originally Posted by Morte66

He is doing a half-season this year because he wants some time off, so he contracted for a certain number of rallies (six or seven?). Earlier this year he did Poland at the last minute to cover for Ogier who crashed badly in practice, so now he's done what was agreed.

As for his plan... Kick back, I guess.

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But he has binned it on 3 of the rallies he did for Toyota this year.

And he's doing the Killarney Rally in a historic Toyota Starlet around the time of Rally Japan.