Rally Japan - Preview
- therookiereporters
- May 27
- 2 min read
From 28-31 May, the World Rally Championship will be competing across Japan. Here is all you need to know.
In 2025, Sebastian Ogier came out victorious with home race manufacturer Toyota Gazoo Racing. With this being Toyota’s home race, and them having a large amount of success this season so far, the pressure from fans will be high. They will be hoping to be victorious again.
In this rally, they cover 300km of complete tarmac track, across 20 stages. Since the rally’s return in 2022 it has been nothing short of action. The narrow mountain stages of Aichi and Gifu, leaves no room for mistakes. The grid level changes often, and a lot of the track has steep drops off the side, which drivers will be doing everything to avoid.
As is common, weather could be a huge factor here. The weather could determine crashes which cause drama, or even go as far as affecting the technical side of it. Keep an eye on the forecast.
Here is the schedule for the weekend
Thursday 28th May
08:01: Shakedown Kuragaike Park (2.53 km)
Friday 29th May
08:03: SS1 Asuke 1 (12.90 km)
08:46: SS2 Isegami's Tunnel 1 (24.29 km)
10:09: SS3 Inabu/Shitara 1 (17.08 km)
13:57 SS4 Asuke 2 (12.90 km)
14:40 SS5 Isegami's Tunnel 2 (24.29 km)
16:03: SS6 Inabu/Shitara 2 (17.08 km)
Saturday 30th May
07:41: SS7 Obara 1 (16.44 km)
08:54: SS8 Ena 1 (21.16 km)
10:35: SS9 Mt. Kasagi 1 (19.32 km)
13:05: SS10 Mt. Kasagi 2 (19.32 km)
14:38: SS11 Ena 2 (21.16 km)
15:56: SS12 Obara 2 (16.44 km)
17:15: SS13 Fujioka SSS 1 (3.19 km)
17:38: SS14 Fujioka SSS 2 (3.19 km)
Sunday 31st May
08:14: SS15 Nukata 1 (20.49 km)
09:05: SS16 Lake Mikawako (13.98 km)
10:13: SS17 Kuragaike SSS 1 (2.56 km)
10:32: SS18 Kuragaike SSS 2 (2.56 km)
12:30: SS19 Nukata 2 (20.49 km)
14:15: SS20 Wolf Power Stage - Lake Mikawako 2 (13.98 km)
(All times are in JST)
Article written by Imogen Moggridge © Imogen Moggridge 2026
