The atmosphere at Rally Japan has already made an impression, even though the event hasn’t properly started yet. Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta has been in high demand before the rally kicks into full gear.
“Of course, I’m excited. I got used to this over the last two years, so it’s fine. But I’m very happy to see so many fans here today. Of course, yesterday, last night – it’s crazy now, you know, how it’s growing every year,” Katsuta enthused ahead of the rally.
“It’s a massive job by the organisers and all the people who worked on it. So I really appreciate them,” he added.
The first stage of the rally was run on Thursday at Toyota Stadium, the home ground of Nagoya Grampus, a team playing in Japan’s top football league. However, Katsuta’s popularity is soaring to the point where the stadium might soon bear his name instead.
“We’re cool, but maybe the football players are complaining about me, so maybe. But they are also supporting us, like football player fans and all the other sports players. I had some interactions with other athletes. It was very cool to see all of them. It’s nice to support each other,” Katsuta said with a smile.
Katsuta also admitted to being a fan of the local football team.
“Of course (I support them). This is my hometown too,” Katsuta said.
While Katsuta is becoming well-known in Japan, the title of the country’s most famous athlete still belongs elsewhere.
“No, it’s still a long way to go, you know. (Shohei) Ohtani, the baseball player, he is maybe one of the most famous athletes from Japan at the moment. Let’s say, a super famous superstar. But I’m not that famous yet. So, I try to do a good job and try to make the sport more popular. That’s one of my targets,” Katsuta revealed.
Katsuta’s season in the WRC has been challenging, but he has a chance to make amends in Japan. Toyota still has a lot at stake in the manufacturers’ championship during this season finale, so his approach needs to be calculated.
“If I could choose just based on my feelings, I’d go flat out on every stage. But this is not going to happen,” Katsuta admitted.
“I mean, this is very important for the team. We’ve seen over the last two years that many things already happen on Friday, and you never know what is going to happen until the end. I think I have to be patient at some point, and I need to focus more on the team job,” Katsuta explained.
“But still, at the same time, they told me that when they tell me to push – I’m happy to push. I’m ready for that. Like in Central Europe, I was patient, and on the last day, they said, ‘You can go push.’ I think it’s a similar situation,” Katsuta added.
