Only 11 crews started in the demanding Rally Japan in the WRC2 category, including two competing in Škoda cars. Both crews succeeded in scoring points. The best result was achieved by former WRC2 World Champion Emil Lindholm, who finished fourth in the category.
The only drivers competing in Škoda cars in Japan were local veteran Osamu Fukunaga and Finnish driver Emil Lindholm. Both endured a demanding event behind the wheel of their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars, yet they still managed to score points.
The narrow and winding asphalt roads, lined by barriers, steep drops and dense forests, proved to be a particular challenge for Lindholm. “A lot of slow corners one after another. I can’t find the rhythm; the grip level keeps changing. Basically, I’m just surviving,” admitted Lindholm, alongside his Brazilian co-driver Gabriel Morales, after the opening special stages.
By the halfway point of the rally, the Toksport WRT crew was in fifth place. Then, thanks to their rivals’ troubles, they moved up a spot, and Lindholm—who prefers fast and flowing gravel stages—held onto that position until the finish.
“We had issues with our pace notes. Every time you hesitate in a corner, you lose a lot of seconds. It’s a fantastic rally, but a demanding one,” commented Emil Lindholm on his Saturday and Sunday runs. Reflecting on his fourth-place finish, he added: “This result was not what we came here for. But in the end, we have to be happy that we made it through in one piece.”
Local driver Osamu Fukunaga and co-driver Misako Saida did not enjoy a trouble-free event either. The Three Five Motorsport crew in a Fabia RS Rally2 was forced to retire on Saturday after sustaining suspension damage following a minor off-road excursion. Fukunaga is an experienced competitor and made his eleventh start at Rally Japan. He has contested the event every time it has been held as a round of the FIA World Rally Championship calendar.
Following Sunday’s restart, the duo managed to secure fifth place in the WRC Masters Cup category, which is reserved for drivers aged 50 and older. They ultimately finished tenth in the overall WRC2 standings.
The FIA World Rally Championship will now switch from asphalt to gravel for the entire second half of the season. The next round is scheduled to kick off in Greece at the end of June.
