The competition director punished Katsuta.
Takamoto Katsuta’s Saturday was completely ruined. ZumaWire / MVPHOTOS
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta experienced a big disappointment in his home race at the World Rally Japan on Saturday.
Feel your start for your Saturday afternoon run right near the tip. The Japanese driver was third in the race behind his teammates Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans, but the difference to the first place was only 5.2 seconds.
The Toyota team management had given Katsuta a free hand to fight for the first race victory of his World Rally career in his home countries. However, his dreams were shattered by the second time he drove Mt. With the clip of Kasagi crashing his Toyota into the barriers.
– I drove the corner a bit long and hit the obstacles filled with water. The radiator and power steering cooling system broke down in it. In practice, I therefore had no power steering, and besides, the water pressure became a warning, a disappointed Katsuta recounted his problems.
Katsuta made it through the section, but lost more than four minutes. After the Japanese crash, the map reader made repairs to his car of Aaron Johnston with and the two were able to continue their journey.
It was important to Katsuta that he was able to drive through the rest of the day’s special tests in front of the Japanese audience.
– We tried everything. Aaron did a great job fixing the car and the team gave us instructions. We were only able to make limited repairs, but we still made it to the end of the day.
Another disappointment
However, Katsuta received some harsh information after the last interviews. The race director had given him a suspension from Saturday because he was too late, exactly 34 minutes, for the start of the 12th special stage.
– I am really disappointed and sorry for the team and the fans. I had a really strong feeling about this rally in Japan and I wanted to take the home win in front of all the Japanese fans. I am sorry that my mistake led to this situation. I’m disappointed, because I came here to win, Katsuta lamented.
Katsuta is allowed to continue the rally on Sunday, when there are six more special tests on the program.