Nikolay Gryazin targets Rally Japan challenge with Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale
Nikolay Gryazin will compete in Rally Japan aboard the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, aiming for a strong result in round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship.
- 20
- 302
- 7
What Happened
Rally Japan, scheduled from 28 to 31 May across the Aichi and Gifu prefectures, is round seven of the FIA World Rally Championship. The event features 20 special stages covering 302 competitive kilometres, with narrow, technical roads and rapidly changing weather conditions.
Ceremonial start
6 special stages, 108 km
8 special stages, 120.22 km, including Fujioka Super Special Stage
6 special stages, 74.06 km, final determination of winners
The rally is renowned for its demanding stages with endless tight corners and varying grip. Gryazin, co-driven by Konstantin Aleksandrov, is one of the most experienced competitors on these roads, having won WRC2 in 2024 and finished second in 2023.
“This will be a particularly demanding rally, with very strong competition despite a smaller field than usual. The level is extremely high, and we know we will need to be fully focused from start to finish. The whole team is ready to give its maximum effort to support Nikolay and Konstantin and fight for the best possible result.”
Why this matters
Gryazin's performance in Rally Japan could impact the WRC2 championship battle, especially with several key rivals absent.
Terms in This Story
- WRC2
- The second-tier support category of the FIA World Rally Championship for production-based cars.
- Special stage
- A timed section of a rally where drivers compete against the clock.
- Rally2
- A class of rally car that is a step below the top-tier Rally1, often used in WRC2.
- Super Special Stage
- A short, spectator-friendly stage often held in stadiums or closed circuits.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.