Takamoto Katsuta faces a unique challenge at Rally New Zealand. His regular co-driver, Aaron Johnston, broke his collarbone in a crash at Rally Paraguay and has not recovered sufficiently to take part in this event. Toyota acted swiftly, finding a replacement within their Rally2 team: James Fulton, who usually co-drives for Yuki Yamamoto.
Fulton is no stranger to the top level. The 34-year-old has previously co-driven for the likes of Craig Breen, Kris Meeke, and Josh McErlean. His experience gives Toyota confidence, but Katsuta knows that having an experienced co-driver is only half the battle. "James is doing a really good job, and we practised together for a couple of days. We all know that James is a very good co-driver," he said.
Katsuta stressed that the key is not individual skill but chemistry. "I wasn’t worried about that, but we just need to find a shared feeling and rhythm. That is really the only thing we need to focus on at the start of this rally," he added. He also mentioned that Johnston is helping remotely. "Aaron is also trying to help us remotely, so I believe everything will be fine."
The biggest challenge, according to Katsuta, is the varying nature of the stages. "Each day’s stages are quite different, especially between Friday and Saturday. The roads are completely different in character," he explained. "Friday could be more challenging. There are new stages, a new co-driver, and new pace notes, so there will be plenty for both of us to adapt to."
Rally New Zealand is known for its mixed surfaces, from smooth gravel to rough, and unpredictable weather. For Katsuta and Fulton, this is a baptism of fire: they must perform immediately without a proper bedding-in period. Changing co-drivers mid-season is always a nightmare for a driver, as pace notes must be tailored to a new communication style.
Katsuta himself is on a mission to prove his worth at Toyota Gazoo Racing. He has shown speed but consistency remains a work in progress. With a new co-driver, he must be more flexible and quick to adapt. "We just need to move on from the previous rally and find a good rhythm and feeling," he insisted.
This duo has no time to relax. Every second on stage will test their communication. If they succeed, it could be a story of rapid adaptation. If they struggle, the pressure will mount. Either way, Rally New Zealand will be a true test for Katsuta and Fulton.
Read Also
Jayden Ojeda leads Friday practice for the Supercars Airtouch 500 at The Bend. Full results and qualifying preview.
Motorsport Australia tightens tobacco sponsorship rules on race cars, sparking controversy at Muscle Car Masters and upsetting Heritage Touring Cars competitors.
Rookie Bayley Hall fastest in Supercars co-driver practice at The Bend, beating Todd Hazelwood. Full results and analysis here.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!