Live stage results
After the Friday stage (six sections) Oliver was classified in second position, 15.7 seconds behind Elfyn Evans.
Read more Another incident in Paris: a Turkish woman who caught on an advertising stand had to step back
However, GR10 crashed again (third time counting four WRC stages). According to Sebastien Ogier, Oliver took too much risk fighting for first place and that risk did not pay off.
S. Ogier admitted that he was not surprised to hear the news about his teammate Solberg’s crash at the end of the stage:
“This morning the risk he took was too great. Unfortunately, it is not unexpected, but it is a pity,” said S. Ogier.
Friday stage: a deer on Solberg’s path
Elfyn Evans finished a challenging FORUM8 Japan Rally opening day leading by 15.7 seconds, and Toyota Gazoo Racing took the top four places on Friday evening.
The championship leader took advantage of a clean track and a calm day on narrow asphalt sections, overtaking teammate Oliver Solberg, while Sébastien Ogier was only 1.4 seconds behind and finished third.
Sami Pajari completed Toyota’s list among the top four, 41.5 seconds behind the leader, winning the last stage of the day with Inabu / Shitara.
Evans was the fourth fastest on the brand new Asuke opening stage, where overnight rain left wet spots under the trees and immediately complicated tire choice. However, his day changed after the first Isegami tunnel passage, where he achieved a decisive 7.5 seconds faster time than everyone else and took the lead.
Read more US and South Korea negotiate over remarks by US forces commander Xavier Brunson
Since then, the Welshman maintained control of the rally. In the eastern Inabu / Shitara test, he won another stage victory, and in the afternoon repeat lap he preserved his advantage as conditions became drier but remained unpredictable in places.
Solberg had a great start, winning Asuke, and later repeated this success in the afternoon run, but lost time in the third stage when he slowed down to avoid a deer on the road. The late moment in the last stage went unpunished, and he reached the night stop second overall.
Last year’s FORUM8 Japan Rally winner Ogier spent most of the day looking for a better rhythm, driving his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. The nine-time world champion was disappointed with his position, 16.7 seconds behind Evans in the morning Isegami tunnel passage, and after lunch pressed Solberg, finishing 17.1 seconds behind on Friday’s finish straight.
Home-supported Takamoto Katsuta suffered a setback and disappointment at the start, although he did not hide that he really wanted to win this rally.
In the first stage, the Japanese driver went onto the wet right side of the road and punctured the left rear tire, then lacked confidence all morning.
Saturday is the longest rally stage, with two passes planned – Obara, Ena and Mt. Kasagi, totaling 120.22 competitive kilometers.
Standings after Friday (SS6 / 20):
1. E. Evans / S. Martin GBR Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 1 hr 13 min 07.0 s
2. O. Solberg / E. Edmondson SWE Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +15.7 s
3. S. Ogier / V. Landais FRA Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +17.1 s
4. S. Pajari / M. Salminen FIN Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +41.5 s
5. T. Neuville / M. Wydaeghe BEL Hyundai i20 N Rally1 +58.2 s
6. T. Katsuta / A. Johnston JPN Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +1 min 03.8 s.
