Japan Rally: Mitsubishi / PCWRC - Leg 1
Japanese Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driver Fumio Nutahara heads the top of the Group N leaderboard in Rally Japan, the seventh round of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship.
The Hokkaido resident and FIA PWRC contender led early this morning but was then overhauled by former FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Champion Katsuhiko Taguchi, who continued to lead until losing time in SS7 with a puncture. In total, Lancer Evolution drivers hold six of the top 12 positions.
After last night`s ceremonial start - where there were an estimated 55,000 spectators - the opening leg of Rally Japan took the crews north-east of the Obihiro Rally HQ base for the longest day of the event covering 163.26 kilometers of competition. It also included a double run of the challenging 50 kilometer Kunneywa-Niueo forestry stage and the first loop of the Satsunai super special. Despite overcast weather conditions, rain essentially held off and crews were able to totally focus on the fast and narrow stages on Japan`s northern-most island.
Nutahara led the category after the first two stages this morning but then slipped behind fellow Lancer Evolution driver Taguchi after SS3. He was however able to re-take the lead when the former FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Champion lost nearly five minutes with a puncture.
“I am very happy tonight and the car has been excellent,” said Nutahara. “We lost time in SS3 when we got caught in dust from some cars in front that I think had a puncture, but anyway, everything has worked out in the end. Tomorrow I try my best; maximum attack!”
Katsuhiko Taguchi, winner of this year`s Rally Hokkaido, had a great morning, leading the category in his Lancer Evolution. However, a puncture in SS7 and then a roll in the following stage has put him permanently on the sidelines of his home rally.
“We lost time in SS7 with the puncture and I think I was pushing to make up the lost time,” said Taguchi. “The front suspension was overheating in SS8 and the front of the car was jumping up a bit and when we landed it was on the edge of the road and there was nothing we could do. We rolled for maybe 50 meters. The car is destroyed so it is not possible to re-start; I am obviously very disappointed.”
The second leg of Rally Japan is a lot shorter at 100.98 competitive kilometers but covers eleven stages around the town of Ashoro before crews return to the Obihiro super special to close the day.


Tags: japan, mitsubishi, lancer, evolution, asian,