Katsuta the winner of the Croatia Rally

Japan’s Takumoto Katsuta in a Toyota Yaris is the winner of the fifth edition of the WRC Croatia Rally, which ended with great drama on Sunday in Senj.

The real drama happened unexpectedly in the last, 20th stage of the rally from Alan to Senj, when leading Belgian Thierry Neuville flew off the track and squandered a sure victory, and even remained without a single point in Croatia. Before the last test, the Belgian had a huge 1:15 minute advantage, but due to his great carelessness after one turn, he went off the track and destroyed the undercarriage of his Hyundai i20.

Takumoto Katsuta thus joined double laureate Frenchman Sebastien Ogier, Welshman Elfyn Evans and Finnish Kalle Rovanpera, the previous winners of WRC rallies in Croatia.

Finn Sami Pajari (Toyota) was second, 20. 7 seconds behind, and the sensational New Zealander Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20) was third, 2:07 minutes behind.

This is Katsuti's second career title after winning the Kenya Rally a month ago.

After the exits on Friday left them with no chance to fight for the podium, Swede Oliver Solberg and the Welshman Elfyn Evans won ten and eight bonus points respectively on Sunday.

After four races, Katsuta leads the overall standings of the World Championship with 81 points, ahead of Evans (74) and Solberg (68).

Source: HRT