ODDS and EVENS | Takamoto Katsuta Achieves 'Amazing Feeling' with Safari Rally Kenya Victory

After a decade as a World Rally Championship driver, Takamoto Katsuta recently had a pair of notable achievements.

On Sunday, March 15, Katsuta and Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston of Toyota Gazoo Racing won the 74th Safari Rally Kenya, completing the 20-stage, 350.52-kilometer competition in 3 days, 16 hours, 5 minutes, 6 seconds.

The event, which began in northeast Nairobi and wrapped up at Hell's Gate National Park near Lake Naivasha, was Katsuta's 94th in the World Rally Championship.

Finally, Katsuta snagged a win in the international rallying series.

His career-best result ended a decades-long drought for Japanese WRC drivers, since Kenjiro Shinozuka won his second-straight Ivory Coast Rally in 1992.

Weeks earlier, Katsuta, along with his co-driver, placed second in the Rally Sweden in mid-February.

The events in Scandinavia and East Africa were the second and third competitions of the 2026 WRC season, which has 14 scheduled rounds and wraps up in November. And for the first time, Katsuta earned back-to-back podium finishes in the same season.

Although Katsuta's maiden World Rally Championship victory represents perseverance and dedicated effort, it's worth pointing out that he has had numerous smaller success stories in his career. For example, he's won a total of 59 stages in various WRC events, and earned nine podium finishes.

A Thrilling Achievement in Kenya

Rain and mud were among the elements that Takamoto Katsuta, who was behind the wheel of the No 18 car, and the other nine drivers dealt with during the Safari Rally Kenya.

When it was finished, the Aichi Prefecture native was thrilled with the outcome.

"It's such an amazing feeling to achieve this result," Takamoto said, according to a news release. "[And] it's hard to describe how I felt when I crossed the finish line. It was just crazy."

Two days after his Kenya triumph, Takamoto turned 33. Without a doubt, his birthday celebrations began early this week.

"There have been so many difficult moments, and these memories all went through my head," Takamoto said, reflecting on his WRC career. "It hasn't been easy, but finally we are here. Thanks to Aaron, who has worked so hard with me, and to every single person in the team [who] has always been believing in me."

Excitement for Toyota Gazoo Racing

Juha Kankkunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing's deputy team principal, shared in the excitement. The former world-class rally driver delivered incisive remarks after the victory was secured in Kenya.

"The whole team is very happy to see Takamoto and Aaron win this rally," Kankkunen commented. "They have been close so many times, and they really deserve this. Taka is a very good driver, and to see a Japanese driver win a WRC rally again is really nice for us."

Katsuta's victory brought back special memories for the Finnish legend.

"The Safari Rally was also my first WRC win 41 years ago, and it's something quite special to do it on such a difficult event," the four-time WRC season champion said. "This was the toughest Safari we've seen since it came back to the calendar [in 2021], and it was a rollercoaster weekend for us."

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The Path to Victory in Kenya

At the end of the sixth stage on Friday, Katsuta's No 18 automobile was in seventh place, trailing the leader by nearly 2 minutes. A pair of flat tires impacted the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver's performance.

A day later, Katsuta showcased his driving skills amid "the difficulties on the muddy and rocky stages," as noted in a news release, and he pulled ahead by midday.

For Katsuta, Saturday's strong performance was pivotal. It gave him a 1-minute, 25.5-second advantage over Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux heading into the final day of the Kenyan competition.

During the final four stages, all held on Sunday, Katsuta and Johnston worked in sync and handled the driver and navigator duties with distinction.

And when his car completed the final 10.53-km stage, Katsuta secured his first WRC win by 27.4 seconds over Fourmaux and his Hyundai co-driver, Alexandre Coria.

Recognizing the challenge of winning in Kenya, Katsuta spoke about his experience in the 2026 Safari Rally Kenya. Five years earlier, he was the runner-up in the same event.

"Trying to manage today was really difficult, because you see every small rock and you try to avoid them," Katsuta said on Sunday. "But we managed it without any problems, so thank you to the team for giving me such a strong car and strong support."

He added, "We're here because we never give up and we'll keep working hard to achieve more results like this.”

In Pursuit of Success

Katsuta is currently third among drivers this season with 55 points. Toyota teammates Elfyn Evans and Oliver Solberg are first and second, respectively, with 66 and 58.

Although he expressed disappointment after finishing in 10th place on Sunday, Evans shared positive feelings for his teammates' success in their latest race.

"I'm very happy for Taka and Aaron, who have worked really hard and are very deserving of this win," Evans told reporters.

The World Rally Championship season continues with the Croatia Rally (April 9-12). Also in 2026, the Japan Rally is scheduled for May 28-31 in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture.

Takamoto Katsuta Raises His Profile

Thanks to his victory in Kenya, Katsuta will receive increased media exposure and endorsement opportunities in Japan and around the world. That much is certain.

Moreover, Akio Toyoda, the chairman of Toyota Gazoo Racing and Toyota Motor Corporation, hopes Katsuta will inspire the next generation.

"When there is someone to look up to, children and young people strive to surpass them," Toyoda said. "Kids and youngsters who work hard to surpass Takamoto will raise the level of motorsports in Japan. This victory has become a truly great gift to those young people in Japan. Thank you, Takamoto."

The Toyota chief executive then said, "I want Takamoto to become an even greater source of admiration, and we can expect another show at Rally Japan."

More than 20 Japanese drivers have competed in Formula One races since the mid-1970s, including Takuma Sato, a two-time Indy 500 winner (2017, 2020). F1's popularity is well established in Japan.

Maybe Takamoto Katsuta is on the verge of bringing greater sustained attention to the World Rally Championship in his homeland.

Author: Ed Odeven

Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.