The ‘FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024 Fes in Shibuya’, a PR event for the World Rally Championship FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024, was held on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August at the Inaribashi Square of Shibuya Stream in Tokyo. Attracting many families, young couples and rally fans who were enjoying their last weekend of Obon holidays, those in attendance were treated to exciting rally car videos and talk shows.
A TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GR Yaris Rally1 replica and Lifeguard energy drink car were displayed in the centre of the venue, which also featured a photo booth with 3D trick art effects, a Rally Japan game corner and a mini 4WD booth. Intense WRC action footage was also shown on a large screen. On 18 (Sun) August, a talk stage featuring Pierre Kitagawa, who will act as MC for the rally, former professional baseball player Munenori Kawasaki and model Niki was held. During the talk show, the track layout of the Toyota Stadium SSS was revealed, along with the ‘FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024 Supporting Artists’ who are scheduled to appear during the rally, and other new information.
Pierre explained the basics of the World Rally Championship and the highlights of Rally Japan. He explained that, as rallying is a competition on public roads, all cars follow traffic rules in liaison areas except for the competition sections; that in the WRC, fans wave flags of their favourite drivers at the spectator points on the stages to cheer them on; that the competition is held over four days, and the final day is so high-level that the winner is often decided by an intensely close battle with a margin of just a few tenths of a second. Regarding the course layout of the Toyota Stadium SSS, which was shown to the public for the first time in Japan, he said: ‘The format of starting two cars at the same time remains the same as last year, but a 360° turn has been incorporated in the centre and the angle of the multilayered crossing, which is one of the features, has been made more gentle, so we expect to see more intense action from the stands. Tickets to the Toyota Stadium SSS have been dramatically reduced this year, so I hope to see you at Toyota Stadium. If you do come out, you can also see the teams at work in the service park attached to Toyota Stadium’.
He added: ‘Also, on Saturday the Okazaki SSS will take place as a night stage, so you might be able to see the famous Okazaki City fireworks.’
This was followed by an introduction of the entertainment content that will take place at Toyota Stadium in between the competitions. This year, in addition to a display flight by the Air Self-Defence Force’s Blue Impulse and freestyle motocross, a live performance by popular female chorus group Little Glee Monster was announced for Saturday 23 November. When a video message from Little Glee Monster was shown on a large screen, the audience were clearly excited.
At the end of the three talk sessions, a rock-paper-scissors competition to win official competition goods was held. We would like to thank all the spectators who came to the event despite the heat, and look forward to seeing everyone in Aichi and Gifu for the World Rally Championships FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024, which will be held from 21 (Thu) to 24 (Sun) November.
