The TGR WRC Challenge Program was established in 2015 with the ambition to identify and develop rally drivers from Japan who can compete on the world stage. The process to find a fourth generation of drivers to join the Program started at Fuji Speedway in October when almost 100 applicants had the chance to demonstrate their skills in front of instructors from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team.

A total of seven drivers were invited to Lapland in northern Finland in December for the final training camp, where initial fitness tests were followed by five days of driving in different cars. Once again, despite their limited experience especially on snow and ice, the finalists impressed the instructors, who were looking to select drivers that showed potential to become top-level competitors in the FIA World Rally Championship.

After much deliberation, they chose Rio Ogata and Kanta Yanaguida to join the Program. Ogata, 23, has previously competed in dirt trials, gymkhana and e-motorsports. Yanaguida, 24, has extensive experience in drifting and began his rally career in 2024 in the Morizo Challenge Cup, where he finished fourth overall.

While their rallying experience is currently limited, they will move to Finland early next year to commence an intense training schedule designed to accelerate their development. This will focus on driving, pacenotes and fitness with the aim of being ready to start competing in national rallies in Finland and Europe from the summer onwards in front-wheel drive Rally4 cars.

This year, a selection process was also held to welcome a co-driver into the Program. Five co-drivers were invited to a final selection held in Japan in October, where their pacenote reading and other key co-driving skills were assessed. Tomiya Maekawa, who has been competing in the Morizo Challenge Cup this year, has been selected and will begin a dedicated training schedule in Finland alongside experienced rally driver Jarkko Nikara, taking part in their first rallies together early in 2025.

Those selected will also have the chance to learn from those whose footsteps they follow in, including Takamoto Katsuta who was part of the initial selection in 2015 and now competes full-time for TGR-WRT in a GR Yaris Rally1. Second-generation drivers Yuki Yamamoto and Hikaru Kogure will continue competing with the GR Yaris Rally2 in 2025 in an expanded schedule of events, while the third generation of drivers, Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita, will step up from Rally4 to Rally3 cars for their second year on the Program.

Quotes:
Mikko Hirvonen (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program chief instructor):
“This is the second year in which we’ve been able to start our search in Japan at Fuji Speedway, and it feels like the level of the drivers who come to Finland for the final selection is getting better every time. We again had a good group of very strong drivers and all of them made steps forward during the week. Some had great natural talent and some had a bit more background in motorsport already, but they were quite close to one another, so they had to push hard to make a difference. That helped us because, while driving skill is important, we’re also looking for how they perform under pressure; who is able to be consistent with all the different cars and situations, and who is able to keep their head when we put them against the clock. That’s what separated Rio and Kanta from the rest, but now the hard work really starts for them. They are able to handle a car but there are many more things involved in becoming a more complete athlete, on the mental side and the physical side, and there’s always a lot of work to do with pacenotes. It’s also great that Toyota is widening the Program and wanting to support a co-driver as well: Tomiya will be learning besides an experienced driver and the wider team to get familiar with all the aspects of becoming a top co-driver.”