Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville could finally have his crowning moment at this weekend’s 2024 World Rally Championship season finale in Japan.
The five-time runner-up, who is chasing a maiden title, leads his team-mate Ott Tanak by 25 points with 30 available and they are the only two drivers in contention for the championship.
Neuville is also a previous winner of Rally Japan having taken victory there when it returned to the WRC calendar in 2022, so he looks set to win the championship.
His title fight has been built on consistency, having finished just two of the 12 rallies outside of the top five while Tanak has been very up-and-down in 2024.
The 2019 world champion has won two rallies like Neuville, including Central Europe last time out, but also has three non-scores with an additional finish outside of the top five in Kenya where Tanak came eighth.
Consistent competition failed to materialise elsewhere as reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera and Sebastien Ogier have won the most rallies – four and three respectively – but only fought partial campaigns.
Elfyn Evans meanwhile, although last year’s runner-up has scored six podiums the Toyota driver is also yet to win this year, so sits third in the championship, 40 points behind Neuville.
The manufacturers’ title will also be decided this weekend, where Hyundai leads defending champions Toyota by just 15 points despite the Japanese marque having won two more rallies.
But Hyundai has claimed a double points finish at every round, while M-Sport sits bottom of the championship as the Ford squad has contested most of the season with just two cars compared to three for its rivals.
The WRC2 title is on the line as well. Oliver Solberg (Skoda) currently leads the standings but will skip Japan having completed his seven points scoring events, meaning if Sami Pajari (Toyota) finishes first or second the Finn will claim the title.
When is the 2024 Rally Japan?
Date: 21-24 November
Start time: 9:52am GMT/6:52pm local time on Thursday 21 November 2024
The 2024 Rally Japan officially starts on Thursday 21 November at 9:52am in the United Kingdom and 6:52pm local time in Toyota Stadium, which is situated in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture. This means Japan is nine hours ahead of Britain across the weekend.
Earlier that day is also shakedown, where teams test various car set-ups in preparation for the rally with that beginning at midnight in the UK and 9am local time on Thursday. It is also a day that features the rally’s opening stage, starting at 10:05am GMT and 7:05pm local time.
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12am GMT/9am local time |
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9:52am GMT/6:52pm local time |
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10:05am GMT/7:05pm local time |
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Thursday 21 November/Friday 22 November |
10:44pm GMT/7:44am local time |
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4:32am GMT/1:32pm local time |
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9:35am GMT/6:35pm local time |
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Friday 22 November/Saturday 23 November |
11:05pm GMT/8:05am local time |
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4:05am GMT/1:05pm local time |
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10:05am GMT/7:05pm local time |
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Saturday 23 November/Sunday 24 November |
10:39pm GMT/7:39am local time |
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3:17am GMT/12:17pm local time |
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5:15am GMT/2:15pm local time |
How can I watch the WRC?
The UK’s WRC broadcast rights have been held by TNT Sports since 2014, when it was called BT Sport. In 2024 every round of the season has therefore been live televised by TNT, which is available from £18 per month.
Rally.tv is another destination to watch the WRC and the live streaming platform offers two deals to new customers: an annual subscription for £119.99 or a monthly pass for £12.99.
How can I watch the 2024 Rally Japan?
TNT Sports will commence its Rally Japan coverage on Thursday 21 November at 12am GMT for shakedown, which is the opening session of the weekend. It will return at 8am that day for the ceremonial start, meaning TNT Sports will broadcast every second of the 2024 Rally Japan weekend.
However, due to the event’s schedule, TNT Sports will be on and off with its coverage which is the same for Rally.tv.
How can I watch the 2024 Rally Japan highlights?
TNT Sports will broadcast various 30-minute highlight programmes through the Rally Japan weekend, starting at 4pm (TNT Sports 1) on Friday.
Red Bull TV is another destination for highlights, as it will broadcast a one-hour programme on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. Fans can also watch Rally Japan highlights via ITV4, who will broadcast a one-hour programme on Tuesday 26 November at 8pm.
Daily highlights are also available via Autosport, while the official WRC platforms will publish clips throughout the weekend as well.
What is the route for the 2024 Rally Japan?
The 2024 Rally Japan will have 21 special stages covering a total competitive distance of 188.02 miles. Drivers will first tackle a 1.34-mile super special stage inside Toyota Stadium, where competitors will go head-to-head to commence the rally on Thursday evening.
It is then an early start on Friday, as drivers tackle 14.71 miles of Isegami’s Tunnel before heading south to Inabu (12.04 miles) and Shinshira (10.82 miles) to complete the morning. That same route will be run in the afternoon before two super special stages of Okazaki (1.58 miles) in the evening.
Saturday will also feature two identical loops of three stages, which is the most north the rally goes. It begins with Mt. Kasagi (10.23 miles) before heading east to Nenoue Kougen (7.21 miles) and then north to Ena (14.16 miles), with that also being run in the afternoon. Friday then finishes with a second 1.34-mile super special stage of Toyota Stadium.
The final day consists of five stages, beginning with three in quick succession as drivers tackle 12.57 miles of Nukata before 8.69 miles of Lake Mikawaka and another 12.57 of Nukata. The final super special stage of Toyota Stadium will then serve as the weekend’s penultimate route before drivers have another 8.69 miles of Lake Mikawaka for the Power Stage, where bonus points are on offer to the top five crews.
Rally1 entry list for the 2024 Rally Japan
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