How to watch WRC’s Rally Japan: schedule, line-up and more

Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville might lastly have his crowning second at this weekend’s 2024 World Rally Championship season finale in Japan.

The five-time runner-up, who’s chasing a maiden title, leads his team-mate Ott Tanak by 25 factors with 30 obtainable and they’re the one two drivers in competition for the championship.

Neuville can be a earlier winner of Rally Japan having taken victory there when it returned to the WRC calendar in 2022, so he seems set to win the championship.

His title battle has been constructed on consistency, having completed simply two of the 12 rallies outdoors of the highest 5 whereas Tanak has been very up-and-down in 2024.

The 2019 world champion has gained two rallies like Neuville, together with Central Europe final outing, but additionally has three non-scores with a further end outdoors of the highest 5 in Kenya the place Tanak got here eighth.

Constant competitors didn’t materialise elsewhere as reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera and Sebastien Ogier have gained essentially the most rallies – 4 and three respectively – however solely fought partial campaigns.

Elfyn Evans in the meantime, though final yr’s runner-up has scored six podiums the Toyota driver can be but to win this yr, so sits third within the championship, 40 factors behind Neuville.

The producers’ title may also be determined this weekend, the place Hyundai leads defending champions Toyota by simply 15 factors regardless of the Japanese marque having gained two extra rallies.

However Hyundai has claimed a double factors end at each spherical, whereas M-Sport sits backside of the championship because the Ford squad has contested many of the season with simply two vehicles in comparison with three for its rivals.

The WRC2 title is on the road as properly. Oliver Solberg (Skoda) presently leads the standings however will skip Japan having accomplished his seven factors scoring occasions, that means if Sami Pajari (Toyota) finishes first or second the Finn will declare the title.

When is the 2024 Rally Japan?

Date: 21-24 November
Begin time: 9:52am GMT/6:52pm native time on Thursday 21 November 2024

The 2024 Rally Japan formally begins on Thursday 21 November at 9:52am in the UK and 6:52pm native time in Toyota Stadium, which is located in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture. This implies Japan is 9 hours forward of Britain throughout the weekend.

Earlier that day can be shakedown, the place groups take a look at varied automotive set-ups in preparation for the rally with that starting at midnight within the UK and 9am native time on Thursday. It’s also a day that options the rally’s opening stage, beginning at 10:05am GMT and seven:05pm native time.

How can I watch the WRC?

The UK’s WRC broadcast rights have been held by TNT Sports activities since 2014, when it was referred to as BT Sport. In 2024 each spherical of the season has subsequently been stay televised by TNT, which is obtainable from £18 per 30 days.

Rally.television is one other vacation spot to look at the WRC and the stay streaming platform provides two offers to new prospects: an annual subscription for £119.99 or a month-to-month go for £12.99.

How can I watch the 2024 Rally Japan?

TNT Sports activities will start its Rally Japan protection on Thursday 21 November at 12am GMT for shakedown, which is the opening session of the weekend. It would return at 8am that day for the ceremonial begin, that means TNT Sports activities will broadcast each second of the 2024 Rally Japan weekend.

Nevertheless, as a result of occasion’s schedule, TNT Sports activities will probably be on and off with its protection which is identical for Rally.television.

How can I watch the 2024 Rally Japan highlights?

TNT Sports activities will broadcast varied 30-minute spotlight programmes by the Rally Japan weekend, beginning at 4pm (TNT Sports activities 1) on Friday.

Purple Bull TV is one other vacation spot for highlights, as it’ll broadcast a one-hour programme on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. Followers can even watch Rally Japan highlights through ITV4, who will broadcast a one-hour programme on Tuesday 26 November at 8pm.

Every day highlights are additionally obtainable through Autosport, whereas the official WRC platforms will publish clips all through the weekend as properly.

What’s the route for the 2024 Rally Japan?

The 2024 Rally Japan may have 21 particular levels masking a complete aggressive distance of 188.02 miles. Drivers will first deal with a 1.34-mile tremendous particular stage inside Toyota Stadium, the place opponents will go head-to-head to start the rally on Thursday night.

It’s then an early begin on Friday, as drivers deal with 14.71 miles of Isegami’s Tunnel earlier than heading south to Inabu (12.04 miles) and Shinshira (10.82 miles) to finish the morning. That very same route will probably be run within the afternoon earlier than two tremendous particular levels of Okazaki (1.58 miles) within the night.

Saturday may also function two similar loops of three levels, which is essentially the most north the rally goes. It begins with Mt. Kasagi (10.23 miles) earlier than heading east to Nenoue Kougen (7.21 miles) after which north to Ena (14.16 miles), with that additionally being run within the afternoon. Friday then finishes with a second 1.34-mile tremendous particular stage of Toyota Stadium.

The ultimate day consists of 5 levels, starting with three in fast succession as drivers deal with 12.57 miles of Nukata earlier than 8.69 miles of Lake Mikawaka and one other 12.57 of Nukata. The ultimate tremendous particular stage of Toyota Stadium will then function the weekend’s penultimate route earlier than drivers have one other 8.69 miles of Lake Mikawaka for the Energy Stage, the place bonus factors are on provide to the highest 5 crews.

Rally1 entry listing for the 2024 Rally Japan