Katsuta set a stunning fastest time on the first run through the Passauer Land stage, beating his teammate Sebastien Ogier by 1.5 seconds.
In the overall standings, Katsuta remains in fifth place, but in the Super Sunday results, the Japanese driver is now second, behind Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux. Both Katsuta and Fourmaux have set identical times on Sunday.
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak was the third fastest on the second stage of the day, finishing 1.9 seconds behind Katsuta’s benchmark. In the overall standings, Tänak continues to lead the rally, with just 1.5 seconds separating him from second-placed Ogier.
“It was an okay stage, it is not so easy to be perfect everywhere. Not the perfect stage but a good one,” Ogier commented.
The controversial new points system has proven its worth, as Sunday is shaping up to be a fantastic battle between the two world champions.
“I always enjoyed a fight with (Tänak), I said that yesterday that fighting a world champion is always kind of fun. We love this fight, both of us,” Ogier added.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, chasing his first championship, once again opted for caution. He remains fourth overall and is fifth in the Super Sunday standings.
“The car is not good. I was struggling like hell with the front, no precision, lots of movement. Just no confidence and the car won’t turn, so bad,” Neuville lamented.
In the Super Sunday standings, Tänak is third, 2.6 seconds off Katsuta and Fourmaux’s pace. Neuville is 5.9 seconds behind the Super Sunday leader, with Ogier 9.3 seconds adrift.
There are still two more stages to be run on Sunday in the Central European Rally. The Passauer Land stage just completed will also serve as the Power Stage.
Central European Rally standings after SS16/18:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 2:23:56.9 |
| 2. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +1.5 |
| 3. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +8.9 |
| 4. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +37.9 |
| 5. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +1:24.0 |
| 6. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +3:31.2 |
| 7. | Nikolay Gryazin | Citroen | +8:27.8 |
| 8. | Oliver Solberg | Skoda | +8:50.7 |
Super Sunday standings after SS2/4
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
| 1. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | 13:36.4 |
| 2. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +0.0 |
| 3. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +2.6 |
| 4. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +4.2 |
| 5. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +5.9 |
| 6. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +9.3 |
| 7. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +16.3 |
Central European Rally itinerary (CET) :
Thursday, 17 October 09.31 Shakedown: Točná (2.11 km) 15.05 SS1: SSS Velká Chuchle (2.55 km) 18.26 SS2: Klatovy 1 (11.78 km) Friday, 18 October 08.02 SS3: Klatovy 2 (11.78 km) 09.32 SS4: Strašín 1 (26.69 km) 10.42 SS5: Šumavské Hoštice 1 (16.85 km) 13.11 SS6: Klatovy 3 (11.78 km) 14.28 Remote Service (30 min) 16.14 SS7: Strašín 2 (26.69 km) 17.24 SS8: Šumavské Hoštice 2 (16.85 km) Saturday, 19 October 07.58 SS9: Granit und Wald 1 (20.05 km) 09.05 SS10: Beyond Borders 1 (24.33 km) 10.34 SS11: Schärdinger Innviertel 1 (17.35 km) 12.10 Service (40 min) 14.28 SS12: Granit und Wald 2 (20.05 km) 15.35 SS13: Beyond Borders 2 (24.33 km) 17.04 SS14: Schärdinger Innviertel 2 (17.35 km) Sunday, 20 October 09.11 SS15: Am Hochwald 1 (12.17 km) 10.35 SS16: Passauer Land 1 (14.87 km) 11.33 SS17: Am Hochwald 2 (12.17 km) 13.15 SS18: Passauer Land 2 (14.87 km)
