Rally Japan

After making its WRC debut in 2004, Rally Japan has quickly become a popular fixture in the calendar, and one which attracts a huge number of dedicated fans from the host county.

Japan and rallying are almost intrinsically linked, with Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Mazda, Nissan and, perhaps most notably, Subaru all having tasted success in the sport. The Japanese rally fans, as with most sports, are loyal, knowledgeable and extremely enthusiastic.

The rally is based on Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's islands, and from 2004 to 2007 used the twisty, narrow and soft gravel stages of the Tokachi region, close to the city of Obihiro.

For the most recent edition in 2008, however, the event moved to a new base in the city of Sapporo, Hokkaido’s main city, and a selection of brand new gravel stages in the surrounding countryside and forests. It also featured one of the most spectacular Super Specials of the year; which ran inside and outside the futuristic looking Sapporo Dome sports stadium.

Rally Japan returns to the WRC calendar this year after a year out in 2009 in accordance with the FIA's event rotation system.

New for 2010

Rally Headquarters and the Super Special remain at the Sapporo Dome, but the Service Park has moved to a new location three kilometres away.