In an electrifying start to the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) finale at Rally Japan, British Rally Champion Chris Ingram delivered a jaw-dropping performance, setting the fastest time overall on the slippery Kuragaike Park shakedown stage. Piloting a Rally2-spec Toyota GR Yaris, Ingram edged out the top-tier Rally1 competitors to steal the spotlight and set the tone for a thrilling weekend.
“Ingram’s Late Surge”
Despite the inherently lower horsepower of his Rally2 car, Ingram pulled off an astonishing feat, eclipsing Rally1 frontrunners with a perfectly executed late run. His time bested Ott Tänak’s earlier benchmark by 0.4 seconds, cementing his place at the top of the timesheets.
“Bright start for us, and the car feels fantastic,” said Ingram. “We’re here to give it everything.”
Ingram’s incredible pace wasn’t just a one-off—it showcased the potential of the Rally2 machinery in tricky conditions, leaving fans and teams buzzing about his remarkable performance.
“Tänak and Neuville’s Title Duel”
While Ingram dazzled, the spotlight remained on Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak, the only two drivers left in the hunt for the 2024 WRC title.
“It’s going to be a big attack weekend,” Tänak declared. “We want to defend our position and fight for the manufacturers’ title too.”
With a 25-point lead, Neuville needs just six points to claim his maiden WRC championship, but Tänak isn’t going down without a fight. Neuville led the opening pass but faded in later runs, ending sixth among the Rally1 cars, while Tänak posted the fastest time among the Rally1 machines.
“We know what’s at stake,” Neuville said. “We need to push and manage the gaps carefully to bring home both titles.”
“A Slippery Start for the Final Showdown”
The shakedown conditions proved challenging, with limited grip catching several drivers off guard. Elfyn Evans, who is representing Toyota in their quest for the manufacturers’ championship, described the first pass as “no grip at all,” while Sebastien Ogier admitted that a strong performance is needed to keep Toyota’s hopes alive.
“We still have this chance for the manufacturers’ title,” Ogier said. “That’s the motivation for the weekend.”
“Puma Prowess and Rally2 Surprises”
M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux shined with an impressive second-fastest time in Rally1, while teammate Grégoire Munster recovered from an early handbrake issue to deliver a competitive third run. Toyota’s home hero Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five, with Evans trailing in a frustrating eighth among Rally1 cars.
The Rally2 field also delivered standout performances. Behind Ingram, Hiroki Arai, Heikki Kovalainen, and Nikolay Gryazin—sporting an Initial D-inspired Citroën livery—showed strong form. Championship hopeful Sami Pajari, however, struggled in eighth, setting just one time as he looks to secure his WRC2 title.
“It’s never over until it’s over,” Pajari said. “We’ll see how the weekend plays out.”
“All Eyes on the Finale”
With eight Rally1 cars and six drivers fighting for titles across multiple categories, Rally Japan promises to be a spectacular conclusion to the 2024 WRC season. Ingram’s sensational start has added a layer of intrigue, while the fierce title battles in both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships ensure the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the teams prepare for the first competitive stages, one thing is certain: the Kuragaike Park shakedown has set the stage for a dramatic weekend that could rewrite the record books. Rally fans, buckle up—this is going to be a thrilling ride.
