Takamoto Katsuta took it upon himself to help Kalle Rovanperä by checking into SS16 early
Photography by Toyota & Girardo & Co. Archive
Words by David Evans, DirtFish Head of Media
Deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen was in no position to argue. Helping out friends and countrymen is nothing new for the four-time world champion, so when Takamoto Katsuta decided to do Kalle Rovanperä a favor on the final day of Acropolis Rally Greece, there was no argument from the boss.
Katsuta checked into the penultimate stage of the event four minutes early, ensuring he would incur penalties and start the powerstage ahead of his fellow Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 driver – sweeping a cleaner line for the #69 car.
The plan did almost backfire when the Japanese was forced to stop and change a puncture on the final test, but getting back on the road after a rapid change, he worked even harder to help the Finn flying behind.
Kankkunen’s favor, of course, came on the 1985 RAC Rally when he happened upon Markku Alén’s Lancia Delta S4 deep in a Kielder ditch. Kankkunen stopped his Toyota and helped haul the Italian machine out. Alén went on to finish second, three places (and 36 minutes) ahead of Kankkunen’s rear-wheel drive Celica Twincam Turbo. Then Toyota boss Ove Andersson wasn’t best pleased, but Kankkunen was happy to help his friend.
Alèn benefited from Kankkunen's help 40 years ago - even though they weren't team-mates!
Same deal on Sunday. This had nothing to do with team orders, even if the two drivers were wearing the same color overalls.
“It wasn’t a team discussion, so it’s clear,” Katsuta told DirtFish. “Of course, we had to inform the team and everything. It’s quite clear that, for me, let’s say, I’m not manufacturer points [registered] this rally [but] Kalle is, and Kalle had an issue [on Saturday] and then he lost the opportunity to take the points for the position, so I just decided to do that.
“In the final stage I just went more sideways after I got the puncture – before that [the powerstage] was going very well for us.”
Rovanperä finished second on the powerstage, beaten only by a hard-charging Sébastien Ogier.
After a frustrating event, two-time world champion Rovanperä was glad of a helping hand.
“I tried my best,” he said, “and a big thanks to Taka for giving us one position [lower on the road].”
Words:David Evans
Tags: Acropolis Rally Greece, Acropolis Rally Greece 2025, Kalle Rovanperä, Takamoto Katsuta, WRC, WRC 2025
Publish Date June 29, 2025 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2025/06/39l3nFiw-KATSUTA07GRE25tb344-780x520.jpg June 29, 2025
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