Home > Rallies > WRC, Rally Japan, PEC15: everything is coming together even better for Hyundai By José Luis Abreu on November 23, 2024 07:08
At a time when there is only a super special left until the end of the second day of the Japan Rally, things are already looking better for Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid) who in this section passed Nikolay Gryazin-Konstantin Aleksandrov (Citroen C3 Rally2) and are already seventh in the race. This means that he already ‘reserves’ four points that he will have to confirm tomorrow, out of the six he needs to be champion, if Tanak’s best scenario is confirmed. Hyundai also ‘reserves’ 22 points, compared to Toyota’s 28, which to beat Hyundai needs to go from 6 to 16, which won’t be easy.
Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid) greatly increased their margin at the front, Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) had a terrible run and lost 15.5s, Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) won the special and solidified third place
Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) is losing steam against Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid) and in WRC2, all the same, Nikolay Gryazin (Citroën C3 Rally2) stands out against Sami Pajari- Enni Malkonen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and these with a 49.9s advantage over Hiroki Arai-Shunsuke Matsuo (Skoda Fabia Rally2).
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Rally Japan: The High-Speed Soap Opera Ramps Up!
Well, buckle up, folks! It’s that time again where our favorite drivers dart through the scenic Japanese countryside faster than I can run from a bad pun— and judging by this article from José Luis Abreu, it’s shaping up to be one heck of a ride. With only one super special left until the end of the second day, it’s clear that we’re watching a contest of both driving prowess and mental gymnastics!
Now, let’s talk about Thierry Neuville and his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe. The dynamic duo in their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid are making it look easy as they breeze past Nikolay Gryazin and Konstantin Aleksandrov—who sound more like a failed boy band than rally drivers— to claim seventh place. Not that I’m suggesting anything, but if they keep reserving points like this, Neuville might want to send a thank-you note to the universe… or at least order some dessert after the race. Yes, it’s important to keep one’s spirits up, especially when racing is a high-pressure sport. You’ve got to balance carbs with those RPMs!
Meanwhile, Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja are zooming ahead like they’ve got a personal grudge against the speed limit. They’re extending their lead while Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin from Toyota GR Yaris appear to have hit a speed bump—45 seconds lost is like trying to convince someone you meant to order a salad when you really wanted fries. It’s awkward and, let’s be honest, not going to win any culinary awards.
And speaking of awards, Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais are solidifying their spot in the top three. Think of them as the Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Aniston of the rally world—always good for a dramatic twist and a solid performance.
Now, switching gears, we have Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston who appear to be losing steam faster than a kettle on the boil. They need to pick up the pace if they want to keep ahead of Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria in their Ford Puma. And let’s not even get started on the WRC2 category—Nikolay Gryazin is showing off his skills while his rivals are left wondering if they accidentally signed up for the slow lane.
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So, there you have it – Rally Japan is heating up just like my love for cheesy jokes. Each twist and turn is more nail-biting than the last, and by the end of this rally, we may just witness an upset that even the best soap opera screenwriters couldn’t dream up.
Buckle up, because tomorrow promises to be a rollercoaster! Let’s see if Neuville can confirm his points, Toyota can hold on, and if Gervais can resist the urge to throw in a cheeky ‘that’s what she said’ joke—spoiler alert: he won’t! 🚗💨
As the anticipation builds on the second day of the Japan Rally, with only a super special stage remaining, the Hyundai team appears to be gaining momentum. Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe, driving the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid, notably overtook Nikolay Gryazin and Konstantin Aleksandrov in their Citroen C3 Rally2, propelling Neuville into seventh place in the standings. This positioning grants him crucial early points in the championship race, allowing him to ‘reserve’ four points towards the six needed for the title, contingent on the best scenario playing out for Ott Tänak’s competitors. Meanwhile, Hyundai is currently set to secure 22 points, while rival Toyota leads slightly with 28 points—a gap that proves challenging for Toyota to close, needing to advance from sixth to sixteenth place to surpass Hyundai’s position.
Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja have significantly stretched their lead at the top, showcasing the superior performance of their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid. In a stark contrast, Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin, piloting the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid, experienced a disheartening setback, losing 15.5 seconds and potentially jeopardizing their standing. Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais, also driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid, clinched victory in the special stage, reinforcing their hold on third place and elevating the competition’s intensity.
On the WRC2 front, Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston, in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid, seem to be struggling against the spirited challenge posed by Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria, who are steering the Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid. Similarly, Nikolay Gryazin stands out in the WRC2 category with a notable performance in his Citroën C3 Rally2, maintaining a substantial 49.9-second lead over challengers Sami Pajari and Enni Malkonen in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, as Hiroki Arai and Shunsuke Matsuo in the Škoda Fabia Rally2 trail behind.
What are the current standings and points needed for Neuville to secure the championship title in the WRC?
Ition not only boosts his chances in the race but also helps him reserve critical points needed for the championship battle. With four points now ‘in the bank’, Neuville is inching closer to his goal of securing the title, as he requires six points in total—a task made easier if Tänak’s best potential outcome materializes.
Ott Tänak and Martin Järveoja continue to dominate, significantly extending their lead over the competition. Meanwhile, Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin have struggled, losing time and positions in the process. Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais are maintaining a strong third place, showcasing their consistent performance throughout the rally.
In the WRC2 category, Nikolay Gryazin is also performing well, leading against rivals like Sami Pajari and Enni Malkonen, who are facing stiff competition from Hiroki Arai and Shunsuke Matsuo. The competition remains fierce as drivers aim to secure their standings not only for pride but crucial points that impact the championship.
As fans look forward to the thrilling conclusion of the second day, it’s evident that Rally Japan is turning into an exhilarating showdown, with strategies and skills being meticulously tested at every turn. Tomorrow promises even more nail-biting action as drivers push their limits in pursuit of victory and glory. Buckle up—this rally is only getting more intense!