2024-01-14 02:52:34
©Jun Uruno
On January 14th, Toyota Gazoo Racing held a talk show titled “The Charm of Rally” at the company’s booth at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024, which is being held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. On stage, representative Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo, revealed that three Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2 cars, which have just received FIA certification, will appear in this season’s All Japan Rally Championship.
Along with Morizo, Norihiko Katsuta and Takamoto’s father and son also took to the stage during the talk show, where they talked about the appeal of the rally, what people should pay attention to, and even the behind-the-scenes stories of the commercial filming.The topic then turned to Rally 2.
It has been announced that the first Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2 has been delivered to Rookie Racing, of which Morizo is the owner, and on a talk show, TGR World Rally Team representative Jari-Matti Latvala said, “The first GR The Yaris Rally 2 will be delivered to Mr. Morizo,” a video message was also introduced.
June Uruno
Regarding receiving the first car, Morizo said, “No matter how perfectly a car is made, there will always be problems at first.The Rally 2 is a machine that is supplied to customers.As soon as I drive it, I know about the problems. I can do it,” he said.
He then confessed, “This first car will be used by Nori-san (Norihiko Katsuta) in the All Japan Rally!” In 2023, “Nori-san” competed in the All Japan Rally with a concept vehicle as part of the development of the Rally 2 machine. In preparation for his first participation in a left-hand drive car, he also revealed the inside story that at last year’s Auto Salon, he ate his bento with chopsticks in his left hand. Although the team structure for this season’s All Japan Rally has not yet been revealed, “In a sense, it’s more pressure than competing in the TGR works,” he said, expressing his nervousness about the new challenge.
Morizo also mentioned in this talk show that 2023 JN-1 champion Heikki Kovalainen and JN-2 champion Fumio Nutahara will also be participating in the GR Yaris Rally 2. It has been revealed that three GR Yaris Rally 2 cars will appear in this season’s JRC.
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