WRC Rally Japan Historical Stats

Round 14 of the World Rally Championship heads to Asia for the relatively new Rally Japan. This is just the fourth WRC inclusion for the event. Last year Sébastien Loeb crossed Japan off his hit list, winning for the first time in three tries here. He is looking to repeat that victory, coming off back to back wins (7 on the season) that pulled him within 4 points Marcus Grönholm in the championship chase. We will also see the return of the Production Car World Championship after a long break, including local drivers Toshi Arai and Fumio Nutahara. For complete 2007 points click here.

Rally Japan debuted in 2004 and has been included three times. It has been know by the same name all three events. Previously it was Rally Hokkaido and part of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship and Japanese Rally Championship for years. Now that regional rally has split off (still Rally Hokkaido) and is know usually run over the summer, but on many of the same stages.

There have been no maiden WRC victories in Japan (yet). For complete list of Winners and Historical Stats click here.

Notable WRC debuts in Japan:

Yoshio Ikemachi (JAP) - 2006 in Subaru Impreza WRX STI (finished 27th)
Masayuki Ishida (JAP) - 2004 in Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII (finished 13th)
Eiichi Nakamura (JAP) - 2004 in Toyota Starlet (retired)
Daisuke Yamada (JAP) - 2004 in Subaru Impreza WRX STI (finished 20th)

Did You Know?

Sébastien Loeb & Marcus Grönholm are the only WRC drivers to score points in all three WRC events hosted by Japan. Loeb has a slight edge by collecting a podium finish in all three starts.

Part II: With over 700 starts by Japanese drivers, the country is eighth all-time in WRC participations, but they have collected just two wins and three podiums. All of those belong to Kenjiro Shinozuka via victories in 1991 & 1992 at Rallye Côte d'Ivoire Bandama and a 2nd place finish in the 1994 Safari Rally. Toshi Arai does have a couple of 4th place results, most recently in 2001.