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Bates gets Japanese Rally gig

Bates

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: August 1, 2024

Harry Bates will get the opportunity to compete in Rally Hokkaido in Japan as part of a Toyota tie up that will see an international have a crack at the Australian Rally Championship.

TGR-WJC development driver Nao Otake will be a guest star at the next ARC round, the Gippsland Rally from August 9-11.

The Japanese driver will join the Bates brothers driving the latest TOYOTA GR Yaris Rally2 at the fourth round of the 2024 ARC.

In addition to Otake coming down under, Bates and Coral Taylor will take part in Rally Hokkaido, which is the penultimate round of the Japanese Rally Championship from September 5-8.

These significant driver swaps on either side of the hemisphere are part of a tie up between Toyota Gazoo Racing, plus the Japanese and Australian Rally Championships.

Toyota hopes to use it to “advance talent development, supporting our “Making Ever Better Cars” originated in motorsports philosophy and to cultivate cross-border friendships and promote the global motorsports culture.

Harry Bates currently leads the ARC standings as he chases back to back titles having won the first two rounds.

After seeing his winning streak end at Rally Queensland, he will be determined to reassert his authority in the Gippsland Rally where there will be greater Toyota competition.

Otake did not take part in the latest JRC round, but took JN-2 Class honours in his last start at Anna, Gunma.

His only other top three JN-2 Class result of 2024 was a third place in round 2 at Karatsu, Saga.

Image: Peter Norton EPIC Sports Photography

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