Akio Toyoda had a good time when Toyota’s rally team was successful in its home race on the gravel roads of Central Finland.
JYVÄSKYLÄ.
One man made the most of the podium ceremonies of the Jyväskylä World Rally Championship. He was on top of it all Jari-Matti Latvala He has worked as the head of the Toyota rally team Akio Toyoda.
Toyoda wildly fanned victory on the podium. Winner of the competition Elfyn Evans and third in the competition Takamoto Katsuta poured plenty of fizz over Toyoda.
Toyoda also got to pour sparkling drink on his drivers at the party in Himos after the last special stage of the race.
An hour and a half later, Toyoda happily arrived at the Paviljongi service park for a press conference.
– A fantastic result. First, third and fifth place. I am very honored to be sitting here with the drivers who have reached the podium. However, the impression is that I smell like champagne. I’m almost drunk here, Toyoda blurted out with a laugh.
After that he came back for a while Kalle Rovanperän for suspension on Friday.
– On the first day, I couldn’t fix Kalle’s car. I’m sorry about that. The three drivers and map readers did their job. This was a fantastic result, Toyoda said.
The team’s third driver was Jari-Matti Latvala, who returned to drive the Jyväskylä World Rally Championship.
Is Toyoda going to return as team manager?
– It depends on what Jari-Matti says, Toyoda laughed.
Latvala was a boost to the competition. He laughed at the finish line of every special test and seemed to love competing.
– I’m sorry that the interviews took a long time. Thank you for your patience. Remember his smiling face, Toyoda still piped to the group of reporters.
Toyoda, 67, is the chairman of the board of Toyota, one of the world’s largest car manufacturers. He has been Toyota’s public face for a long time. Akio Toyoda was Toyota’s CEO for 14 years until he took over as chairman of the board at the beginning of the year.
At the very least, it has been one of the most influential people in the automotive industry. Akio Toyoda is also the founder of Toyota Kiichiro Toyoda grandson.
After the competition, Katsuta thanked Urheilu very much for the support of Akio Toyoda and his family. Katsuta actually decided on the podium place on Saturday’s last special test in Vekkula. Katsuta shattered the record time and broke the gap of six seconds Teemu Suninen. The Finn from Hyundai couldn’t catch that anymore.
After the Vekkula special test and also during the Saturday evening maintenance, Katsuta thanked Rovanperä a lot. The reigning world champion had given Katsuta some tips. According to Katsuta, Rovanperä always urges people to go for it in difficult circumstances.
– Without Kalle’s help, I wouldn’t have managed here. I tried to do the same as him. Of course, there are still many things for me to be on Kalle’s level. I’ll try though, Katsuta described.
Read more: Kalle Rovanperä helps his good friend to continue the Finns’ curse in Jyväskylä – the coach raved: “Just kidding, that would be tough!”
Rovanperä had already sent a congratulatory message to Katsuta and Evans.
– He sent us all congratulations. Although Kalle had bad luck, he is truly a gentleman. Kalle will come again! Katsuta stated.
For Katsuta, the podium place was very meaningful. He lives in Jyväskylä, so the race is Katsuta’s second home rally. In addition, the season had been difficult until now. Last season, Katsuta was the most consistent driver in the series and was among the top six in almost every race. In two races there was also a podium place. This season has been stickier.
Katsuta admitted that after the difficulties, a place on the podium tastes good.
– We had a big fight with Teemu. He did a good job. Another race for Teemu with a rally1 car. It must not have been easy. I enjoyed fighting with him, Katsuta said.