Japan joined the FIA World Rally Championship in 2004 and was based in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido for four years. In 2008, however, the rally moved to Sapporo, the island’s biggest city, and attracted a record number of spectators.
After a year out of the Championship in 2009, Rally Japan returns to the calendar and will once again be based in Sapporo. The Dome remains the venue for the popular Super Special Stages, however headquarters has moved to the Hokusho Kurotech Tsukisamu Dome, 2.5 kilometres away.
RALLY JAPAN - ROUTE GRAPHICS
CHANGES TO THE ROUTE SINCE 2008
The opening two days of Rally Japan remain largely unchanged since 2008, the only differences being that the Super Special Stage in the Sapporo Dome is slightly longer, and just over three kilometres at the start of the Iwanke stage is new. However, the final day takes crews to three new stages, including a spectator-friendly three kilometre stage that starts on an asphalt karting track. Additionally, while the final day is the shortest and takes in only 55.68 competitive kilometres, there is no main service during the day.
RALLY DATA
Total distance:
Stage distance:
Number of stages: |
1,220.43 km
303.54 km
26 |
RALLY JAPAN TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA
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Thursday 09 September
Shakedown
FIA press conference, Press Room,
Hokusho Kurotech Tsukisamu Dome
Rally Show, Service Park
Rally Parade, Sapporo Dome
Start of the rally and SS1/2, Sapporo Dome
Friday 10 September
First car arrives for mid-day service and Media Zone
First car arrives for end of day service and Media Zone
Saturday 11 September
First car arrives for mid-day service and Media Zone
First car arrives for end of day service and Media Zone
Sunday 12 September
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
Prize-giving and podium ceremony
FIA press conference, Press Room,
Hokusho Kurotech Tsukisamu Dome |
08:00 - 12:00 hrs
13:30 hrs
16:30 – 17:00 hrs
17:20 hrs
18:31 hrs
13:15 hrs
19:11 hrs
13:16 hrs
19:10 hrs
14:37 hrs
15:00 hrs
16:00 hrs
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FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
Thursday 09 September
Sunday 12 September |
Bernardo Sousa, FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship
Toshi Arai, FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
Sébastien Loeb, Citroën Total World Rally Team
Jari-Matti Latvala, BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team
Petter Solberg, Petter Solberg World Rally Team
Kimi Räikkönen, Citroën Junior Team
Winning FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship crew
Winning FIA Production Car World Rally Championship crew
Top three crews in the overall classification
Representative of the winning entrant
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ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
• ‘Meet the Crews’: On Friday and Saturday, the top three drivers will attend a ‘Meet the Crews’ session for media and fans. This will take place in the service park on the WRC Stage at the earliest opportunity during the end of day 45 minute service.
• Autograph Signing Session: On Friday and Saturday, selected crews will be available for a 15 minute autograph session. This will take place in the service park during the end of day 45 minute service at the teams’ service areas.
STAGE CHART
Shortly after the finish of the event on Sunday, a downloadable stage chart showing the progressive positions of the leading crews during the rally will be available. This is copyright free for editorial purposes and available here.