WRC
Fulton steps in alongside Katsuta for Rally Chile
James Fulton will co-drive Takamoto Katsuta at Rally Chile Bio Bío next week, with Aaron Johnston requiring additional time to recover from the pair’s heavy accident at ueno Rally del Paraguay.
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT confirmed the change on Friday, with Fulton stepping across from his usual role alongside TGR WRC Challenge Program driver Yuki Yamamoto.
Johnston and Katsuta crashed heavily on Sunday’s penultimate stage in Paraguay when their GR Yaris Rally1 rolled after clipping a bank at high speed.
Both crew members were transported by helicopter to hospital for precautionary examinations and released later that afternoon, but Toyota has confirmed that Johnston requires more time to make a full recovery.
The team said it wished the Irishman a “speedy recovery” and looked forward to welcoming him back to the co-driver’s seat soon.
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Fulton brings previous Rally1 experience to the partnership. The Irishman competed alongside the late Craig Breen at the end of 2022 and through part of the 2023 season, the pair finishing second at Rally Sweden after leading for much of the event.
More recently, Fulton has partnered Yamamoto in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 as part of the Japanese manufacturer’s WRC Challenge Program. The pairing claimed a maiden WRC2 podium together at FORUM8 Rally Japan earlier this season.
With Fulton moving into Katsuta’s Rally1 car for Chile, Finnish co-driver Topi Luhtinen will reunite with Yamamoto. The pair have previously competed together in the GR Yaris Rally2, including at Rally Finland in 2025.
Katsuta heads to Chile looking to bounce back from a difficult Paraguay weekend. He sits fourth in the drivers’ championship and has a best Rally Chile finish of fifth, achieved in 2023.
Rally Chile Bio Bío, round 12 of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship, takes place from 10 - 13 September.
