WRC World Champion, Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta showed off their impressive drifting skills at Formula Drift Japan, electrifying the event.
Kalle Rovanperä from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT, who has already won the Manufacturers’ title this season, made an impromptu entry in the final round of Formula Drift Japan. His team-mate Takamoto Katsuta also performed a drifting display, further enlivening the event.
The stage for the excitement was Round 6 of Formula Drift Japan held at Okayama International Circuit (Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture), over 7-8 October (Sat-Sun). Rovanperä competed for the first time in the Formula Drift Japan as a spot entry at Round 2 held at Ebisu Circuit in May this year.
This was just the second time for him to compete in Formula Drift Japan, but last time he showed off the skills of a world champion, winning both the single and pursuit races. On the second day of the event, Okayama International Circuit was struck by rain, but the circuit was packed with people eager to witness the drifting prowess of the legendary Rovanperä.
Rovanperä drove the Red Bull GR COROLLA, as he did in the previous round he competed in. In the single race on Saturday, he finished a close second and thus headed into the next day’s pursuit races feeling hungry. He progressed through the tournament in good form but in the afternoon, rain started to fall and the track conditions became difficult. Making it into the final, he finished a close second, but the spectators at the circuit were enthralled by his skillful car control.
Meanwhile, this final round of the series was further enlivened by Takamoto Katsuta, who performed a two-day drifting performance. This displayed exactly the kind of skill he has cultivated in the WRC since his international debut. His powerful performance was met with thunderous applause. Fans were also delighted by the valuable time he spent actively interacting with them during the event.
Rally Japan is just over a month away. We hope that everyone will come out to Rally Japan and get a taste of the world’s best drivers!
