The Toyota drivers romped to a triple victory in their home rally | General Sports

The World Rally Championship season ended with Toyota’s party in Japan. Under the leadership of Elfyn Evans, the team took a handsome triple victory in their home rally.

Jari-Matti Latvala the Toyota team led by celebrated a triple victory in the final race of the World Rally Championship season in Japan. Elfyn Evans drove to first place, Sebastien Ogier second and already sealed his world championship Kalle Rovanperä placed third.

– A great result in the team’s home rally. I am also really proud of “Taka” (Takamoto from Katsuta), he drove so well after Friday morning, Rovanperä said at the finish of the Power stage.

Rovanperä’s contract with Toyota is now on hold and there is still no definite information about his plans for next season.

– Let’s continue in the same way, Rovanperä said, possibly referring to his future.

Toyota is scheduled to announce its drivers for next year on Monday.

For the first time, Hyundai raced on asphalt roads in Japan Esapekka Lappi took fourth place. Lapland kept the home crowd’s favorite, Toyota, behind them on the final day Takamoto Katsuta.

– The beginning of the season was still good, but the end of the season was difficult and I was not at my best. I regret the second half of the season, because I just wasn’t good enough, Lappi summed up his entire year.

The fastest on the Neuville Power Stage

Thierry Neuville grabbed a full pot from the Power Stage. Lapland was third fastest and Rovanperä was sixth. So no extra points for Rovanpera.

The triple victory at the home rally was a great climax to Toyota’s brilliant season. The Toyota drivers already ran away on their own roads during Friday’s special tests.

Friday, which started in a torrential downpour, was the most dramatic day of the entire competition. One special test even had to be canceled when the conditions were already too dangerous.

The zero car caused a dangerous situation

The arrangements for the World Rally Championship in Japan spoke volumes on Saturday, when the day started with a serious incident. Four drivers made it to the first special test of the day, even though the zero car had remained on the 20.32 kilometer long route.

Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville arrived first. Neuville knew how to slow down and passed the place safely. Moments later, the special test was stopped, but Takamoto Katsuta didn’t get information about it in time and passed the place at full race speed.

The arrangements for the World Rally Championship in Japan failed badly already a year ago, when a civilian car wandered the route in the middle of a special test. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) plans to investigate Saturday’s events.

Watch the video: The Nolla car got stuck on the route