Toyota Gazoo Racing Shines on Day 1 of Rally Estonia 2025

July 30, 2025
Toyota Gazoo Racing Shines on Day 1 of Rally Estonia 2025

Puuppola, Finland, July 18, 2025 – The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) commenced its campaign at the highly anticipated Rally Estonia, one of the fastest events on the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar. The event kicked off with a ceremonial start in the historic city of Tartu, followed by an intense shakedown session where drivers had their final opportunity to fine-tune their vehicles before the competitive stages began.

Kalle Rovanperä, the reigning WRC champion, emerged as the fastest driver during the shakedown, clocking impressive times across three runs, while his teammate Takamoto Katsuta secured a strong second position, resulting in a one-two finish for the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 cars. Notably, Oliver Solberg, the current WRC2 championship leader, made his debut in the WRC at this event, finishing fifth in the shakedown.

The opening day saw competitive action as drivers tackled a short super special stage adjacent to the service park. Thierry Neuville from Hyundai set the pace, clocking a time of 1:42.9, followed closely by Elfyn Evans from Toyota, who finished just half a second behind. Ott Tänak, another local favorite, was also in contention, finishing only 0.6 seconds off the lead.

In a statement, Juha Kankkunen, Deputy Team Principal of TGR-WRT, expressed optimism about the team’s performance on the fast Estonian roads, noting, “I think all our drivers are happy to be moving onto faster roads here in Estonia. Kalle has won here three times and has confidence on these stages, but we also know that Ott Tänak will be a tough competitor on his home roads.”

Evans echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the passion of Estonian rally fans and the unique character of the event, stating, “Estonia has a massive following for rallying, and the people are passionate about the sport, and we always get a warm welcome for the start. It’s a nice change of pace from the last few events and with a high-speed character that we can really enjoy.”

Rovanperä, reflecting on his love for the Estonian stages, remarked, “It’s always really nice for me to be back in Estonia. It’s my favourite event to drive on the calendar, and the fans are really good here as well.” Katsuta also expressed his enthusiasm, highlighting the challenge of maintaining the right pace on the fast gravel stages.

As the rally progresses, drivers are preparing for a series of demanding stages with varying conditions. The next day will feature two stages north of Tartu, followed by two additional passes of the Kambja test, culminating in a total of 120.64 competitive kilometers. The competitive spirit is palpable, as teams and drivers continue to adapt to the unique demands of Rally Estonia.

The event is not only a showcase of high-speed motorsport but also highlights Toyota Gazoo Racing's commitment to excellence and innovation in rallying. With a new partnership with Central Automotive Products, whose logo is now featured on the GR Yaris Rally1 cars, TGR-WRT aims to bolster its presence in the competitive landscape of rallying.

As the rally unfolds, all eyes will be on the drivers as they navigate the fast, technical stages, striving for victory on the challenging Estonian terrain. The implications of this rally extend beyond mere competition; it serves as a platform for automotive innovation and highlights the enduring passion for motorsport in Estonia and beyond.

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Toyota Gazoo RacingRally EstoniaFIA World Rally ChampionshipKalle RovanperäElfyn EvansTakamoto KatsutaThierry NeuvilleOtt TänakOliver SolbergmotorsportWRCsuper special stagegravel rallyCentral Automotive ProductsTartuPuuppola2025 WRC seasonrally driverscar setuprally stagesmotorsport innovationEstonian rally culturehigh-speed racingcompetitive motorsportrally championshipsautomotive partnershipsteam performancerally eventsdriver experiencesmotorsport fans

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