Silly Season 2026

[BobJones]

There's such a small talent pool for that third Hyundai seat I think... No one that stands out as the obvious choice.

[EstWRC]

So an Estonian joined Toyota after all

Eighteen-year-old Estonian Jasper Vaher becomes the first non-Japanese driver to join Toyota’s WRC Challenge Program, and will compete in a GR Yaris Rally2 next season.

Two-time Estonian junior champion Vaher was chosen from a five-driver selection process held in Finland earlier this year, and he’ll take on a mixture of WRC, ERC and national championship events alongside third-generation Program drivers Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita.

Keep an eye out on this guy I say!

[meh]

A bit offtopic, but...
https://x.com/TGR_WRC/status/1987777...659242/photo/1

From a certain age, based on this picture from 36 to 40, you start wearing your shirt in pants.

[focus206]

I imagine Ogier will do exactly as 2024 and 2025: skip a couple of rounds and if the standings are looking good, go for the title.

[Dontcut]

And the older you get, the higher you wear trousers.

[becher]

I imagine Ogier will do exactly as 2024 and 2025: skip a couple of rounds and if the standings are looking good, go for the title.

For sure.

[GigiGalliNo1]

where did you hear that ?

It’s been in the works 🤭

[GigiGalliNo1]

Not really, it’s more professional and mature look. It’s how you present your self. Young people don’t feel comfortable with a tucked in shirt, I’m a mix of both but this instance better to have in. He’s also French.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

So the obvious happened and Solberg joined Toyota in a straight replacement for Rovanpera. I cant believe anyone thought anything else would happen. They keep it simple and dont rock a steady ship.

[trykmann]

Translated interview with Jaspar Vaher from Estonian Powerstage.ee

This morning, November 10, the long-circulating rumor was officially confirmed — 18-year-old Japsar Vaher will become a member of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s WRC Challenge Program next season.
Powerstage got in touch with Vaher to find out how the Japanese team discovered the talented young driver, what happened during the test, and more.

How did the opportunity to take part in the WRC Challenge Program test come about?

A couple of weeks before the test, I was contacted and asked whether I would be interested in such an opportunity.

Jaspar, please tell us a bit about the WRC Challenge Program test, where you were ultimately selected.

The test, which had five participants in total, took place in Finland at the end of the summer. We spent a few days driving four-wheel-drive cars — the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and the Renault Clio Rally3.

In addition to the driving sessions, there were also physical endurance tests, which included running, strength exercises, and flexibility assessments.

How did you feel in the Toyota Rally2 car, and had you driven a Rally2 car before?

It was my first time driving a Rally2 car, and in general, I have very little experience with four-wheel-drive cars. However, I got a good feeling with the Toyota Rally2 very quickly, as it’s a great car with very logical handling.

According to Toyota’s press release, you’ll be competing in local championships as well as ERC and WRC events. How much do you know right now about, for example, your first rally of the season?

To be honest, I don’t know that yet. At the moment, I’m not signed up for any particular championship, but I think we’ll start the season in January with some winter rallies. I can’t say exactly which rally yet, since it depends a lot on snow conditions. As mentioned in the press release, I’ll definitely be seen at rounds of different national championships, and possibly at some ERC and WRC events as well.

Your first season will probably be something of a learning year, since you have no previous Rally2 experience and will also face new rallies you haven’t driven before?

Yes, since this will essentially be a training season, my progress will be closely monitored throughout, and based on that it will be decided which rallies I’ll be sent to. I don’t have a specific goal set for me yet — the main task will be to learn and gather experience. It would be unrealistic to expect crazy speed from me right away.

Before the season starts, have you already tested or will you get more testing time in the Rally2 car?

I’ve already had a bit of seat time in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, and I’ll have a few more test days before the season begins. With every kilometer, the feeling gets better and better.

This season, you competed in the ERC with Sander Pruul and in the Italian Championship with Rait Jansen. Which of them will be your co-driver in Toyota’s WRC Challenge Program?

Rait Jansen will be sitting next to me in the Toyota WRC Challenge Program tests and rallies.

Toyota’s press release mentioned that you’ll be supported and guided by experienced Finnish mentors. Who will your mentor be?

The mentors in Toyota’s WRC Challenge Program are Mikko Hirvonen, Jouni Ampuja, and Juho Hänninen. My mentor will be Hänninen.

https://powerstage.ee/eesti-autorall...vaga-kiiresti/