FORUM8 Rally Japan officially opened in Tokyo

Representing home team Toyota GAZOO Racing at the ceremony in Tokyo were Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala as well as drivers, local hero Takamoto Katsuta and Elfyn Evans.

“Our big fight is to win back the manufacturers’ title. It is never easy but we are really determined to get back this title,” opined Team Principal Latvala.
They were joined from Hyundai by championship leaders Thierry Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe whilst 2022 WRC2 FORUM8 Rally Japan winner Grégoire Munster participated on behalf of M-Sport Ford.

“It is one of my preferred rallies and one we won two years ago. It is a different circumstance this year… the fact we have been leading the championship since Monte-Carlo up until now, so there is a lot of excitement around and I can’t wait to bring it home… but we know in rally it is not over until we pass the finish line,” stated Neuville.

Also in attendance were the President Yuji Ito of championship and event sponsor FORUM8, Mayor of the rally’s host city Toyota City, Toshihiko Ota, and WRC Promoter’s Senior Director of Sport, Peter Thul.

There was also a special guest in H.E. Mr. Antoine Evrard, Ambassador-Designate of the Kingdom of Belgium to Japan, who took the opportunity to wish his countrymen Neuville and Wydaeghe best wishes in their championship title push.

Following the greeting, the team members made their way to the Rapongi district of Tokyo for an official fan welcome event, where they signed autographs and mingled with fans lucky enough to win the opportunity to meet them.