Mikko Hirvonen, who has won 15 World Cup rallies in his career, helps Japanese rally promises.
Mikko Hirvosen has a great responsibility in training the Japanese rally promises. PDO
Mikko Hirvonen helps Toyota make Japan a rallying powerhouse.
On the car side, the matter is already under control. There is still plenty to do on the driver front.
Takamoto Katsuta has of course competed in the World Championship on a Yaris since 2020. Katsuta has attended award ceremonies four times. The win is still exhausting.
The pressure on the 30-year-old Katsuta is created by the following Japanese rally heroes. Hirvonen is responsible for their education.
An important task
Hikaru Kogure, Yuki Yamamoto and Nao Otake learned from Hirvos. Henri Vuorinen / TOYOTA GAZOO RACING
Hirvonen’s work is getting its own reward, because of the drivers selected for Toyota’s young driver development program last year Hikaru Kogure and Yuki Yamamoto will take a step towards the World Rally Championship next year.
Nao Otake will continue his career in his home country’s rally series, supported by Toyota.
– Everyone has developed wildly. The decision on the choices was difficult, but it was done according to the rules of Toyota’s young driver development program, Hirvonen explains the ruthless cutter.
The trio drove Rally4 class Renault Clios in Finland and abroad in the season that ended.
Kogure and Yamamoto will get a four-wheel drive car next year. Racing games in the Rally2 category await.
– The purpose is to tour selected World Cup and EC series rallies and possibly other races as needed. On gravel and asphalt, depending on development needs. We don’t want the boys to hawk too big a piece, says Hirvonen.
Toyota does not engage in charity. The purpose of the project is of course to train a top Japanese driver behind the wheel of the Rally1-Yaris.
According to Hirvonen, Kogure and Yamamoto still have a long way to go to reach this goal.
– It is difficult to say anything about the schedule. It is difficult to predict the development. Both have to internalize the secrets of driving with four-wheel drive, says Hirvonen.
So Katsuta doesn’t have to worry just yet.
– I don’t think that driving a Rally1 car will be relevant for another couple of years.
What car?
Toyota’s Rally2 Yaris is supposed to be seen in action next year. Juuso Taipale
Although Kogure and Yamamoto are Toyota’s proteges, they might drive another car brand next year.
Toyota’s Rally2 car is supposed to be ready for next season. Rally2 Yaris is a business for Toyota. Cars are sold for customer use. According to Hirvonen, the Japanese juniors are not in the passing lane when cars are shared.
– The boys drive the cars that are available. Customer garages running the World Series have priority in getting cars, and I don’t even know what their situation is, says Hirvonen.
Hirvonen doesn’t stress about choosing a car.
– The development of Hikaru and Yuki does not depend on whether they drive a Toyota or something else. That’s how it has been until now, says Hirvonen, referring to Renault cars.
No chill for the games
Hirvonen won 15 World Championship rallies in his career. He finished fourth in the World Championship silver. EPA / AOP
In his own career, Hirvonen won 15 World Cup rallies and finished four times in the World Cup silver. Nazis are easily enough to teach rally car driving.
Hirvonen, who ended his active career in 2014, has been working for Toyota for a couple of years. Unlike his former teammate Jari-Matti LatvalaReturning from Hirvo to the wheel of a modern rally car is no longer interesting.
– Driving is always fun, but there is no rush to the starting line. A more relaxed approach to the Historic class races is enough for me, says Hirvonen.
Sometimes the master shows his apprentices a model.
– In Toyota’s training program, the boys have sometimes sat in my car when I have illustrated some things related to driving to them, says Hirvonen.
The following freaks
Toyota is pushing the next batch of Japanese drivers onto the rally routes.
– I recently went to Japan for a party the shootout. 70 drivers participated in it. Six of these were selected for the finals held in Finland later this year, says Hirvonen.
According to Hirvonen, Toyota has not yet decided how many drivers will be selected for the next program.
– Basically two, but the number is not set in stone.