The team manager’s decision to go to Japan during the race weekend seems to have been the right decision.
Jari-Matti Latvala collected valuable data for Toyota in Hokkaido. PDO
Head of the Toyota rally team Jari-Matti Latvala missed the World Rally Championship in Greece. During the winter, he had decided to go to Japan for that time to drive the Hokkaido rally with the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car that was in the test phase.
Latvala competed against Japanese rally drivers and last year’s series champion Heikki from Kovala against. For Rallikonkar, the race of 12 special stages was a success, as he was the fastest driver in 11 stages. It goes without saying that Latvala won in the overall results.
The difference to the runner-up Norihito Katsuta was more than two minutes. Kovalainen, gassed for third place, was a little more than three minutes behind his Finnish colleague.
Latvala’s trusted carter Juho Hänninen glowed the result in X.
– Domination! And there was no need to go any further! This season would be complete without the summary starting in the evening, writes Hänninen, who was also involved in the development of the rally2 car.
Toyota is also looking for a double win in Greece. Before the last special exam Kalle Rovanperä leads overwhelmingly and Elfyn Evans struggling for second place with Hyundai Dani Sordon with.