WRC Challenge Program
Challenge Program
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program aims to discover talented young drivers and help them reach the top of the rally world.
About the program
The TGR WRC Challenge Program was established in 2015 ahead of Toyota’s return to the top level of the WRC to identify and nurture talented young Japanese rally drivers.
Under the guidance of our experienced TGR-WRT instructors in Finland, drivers receive comprehensive training that is focused not only on driving skills but also the art of making pacenotes as well as physical and mental training. They also gather experience by participating in rallies on a variety of different roads across Europe.
The goal for the selected drivers is comprehensive growth as an athlete and the ultimate target is for them to reach the professional level of international rallying and gain success in WRC. Besides that, the program supports young Japanese drivers in their personal growth and having a global mindset.
1st Generation
Takamoto Katsuta joined the program as part of the very first selection in 2015. From minimal rally experience, he went on to achieve his first WRC podium in 2021 at the Safari Rally Kenya. Having scored further podiums on rallies from Japan to Finland, Taka has now earned his place in our main TGR-WRT line-up, realising his dreams and the original aim of the program. So far he has achieved five podiums in his WRC career.
2nd Generation
In early 2022, three new drivers were selected to join the program and spent two years gaining experience by driving in rallies across Europe driving Rally4 cars. All three impressed the TGR-WRT instructors with their performances and progress in that time, and two drivers were selected to continue their development with the program in Europe, with Hikaru Kogure and Yuki Yamamoto stepping up to the Rally2 class for 2024.
After a season of learning amid many new challenges, both Hikaru and Yuki continue to drive the GR Yaris Rally2 in 2025 in an expanded schedule of rallies, including more WRC events.
Following careful consideration and with mutual consideration, Hikaru’s program came to a close after Acropolis Rally Greece 2025. Yuki, on the other hand, demonstrated strong progress over the season and takes on a full schedule of WRC events in 2026.
YUKI YAMAMOTO
driver
- Born: 23 February 1997
- From: Hyogo, Japan
- Co-driver: James Fulton
- Fun fact: First rally car was a Toyota Vitz
3rd Generation
The third selection process began in September 2023 at Fuji Speedway in Japan where more than 70 applicants were given the chance to demonstrate their skills behind the wheel. At the final training camp in Finnish Lapland that December, Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita were chosen to join the program.
Despite their limited prior experience, Shotaro and Takumi impressed with their progress and potential shown during their first rallies in Europe driving Rally4 cars in 2024, and upon stepping up to four-wheel drive Rally3 cars in 2025. In 2026 they take another step, driving the GR Yaris Rally2 in a schedule of events including national, European and world championship rounds.
TAKUMI MATSUSHITA
Driver
- Born: 23 December 1999
- From: Hyogo, Japan
- Co-driver: Pekka Kelander
- Fun fact: Started one rally in Japan before moving to Finland
SHOTARO GOTO
driver
- Born: 31 March 2002
- From: Tokyo, Japan
- Co-driver: Jussi Lindberg
- Fun fact: Drove in gymkhana and dirt trials while at university
GLOBAL DRIVER PROGRAMME
In 2025, a first ever global selection was held to identify and welcome a driver coming from outside Japan to the Program. Five drivers who had shown potential on the lower rungs of the rally ladder were invited to Finland for the selection.
Jaspar Vaher, 18 years old from Estonia, particularly impressed the TGR-WRT instructors with his ability, despite a lack of previous four-wheel drive rally experience, and was selected to join the Program. In 2026 he joins the Program’s third generation drivers Goto and Matsushita in stepping up to a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in a schedule of events including national, European and world championship rounds.
JASPAR VAHER
driver
- Born: 6 March 2007
- From: Kadrina, Estonia
- Co-driver: Rait Jansen
- Fun fact: Is a keen cross-country skier
4th Generation
Another selection was held in 2024 for a fourth generation of drivers to join the Program, once more beginning at Fuji Speedway before a final training camp in Finland. Two drivers, Rio Ogata and Kanta Yanaguida, were chosen to join the Program and commence a comprehensive training schedule in 2025, including their first rallies in Europe driving a Rally4 car.
A selection was also held to welcome a co-driver into the Program, with five candidates invited to a final selection in Japan in October. Tomiya Maekawa was chosen to begin a dedicated training schedule in Finland alongside experienced rally driver Jarkko Nikara, taking part in their first rallies together early in 2025.
All three showed good progress during their first season in 2025, including Maekawa becoming the first Japanese competitor to win a Finnish Rally Championship title alongside Nikara in the SM3 class. Ogata, Yanaguida and Maekawa all step up to four-wheel drive Rally3 cars for 2026.
RIO OGATA
Driver
- Born: 27 April 2001
- From: Kanagawa, Japan
- Co-driver: Mikael Korhonen
- Fun fact: Has competed mainly in sim racing previously
KANTA YANAGUIDA
driver
- Born: 26 January 2000
- From: Aomori, Japan
- Co-driver: Ville Mannisenmäki
- Fun fact: Has beaten Kalle Rovanperä in Formula Drift Japan
TOMIYA MAEKAWA
Co-Driver
- Born: 18 March 1992
- From: Tokyo, Japan
- Driver: Jarkko Nikara
- Fun fact: Began competing as a driver before becoming a co-driver
5th Generation
The 2025 selection for a fifth generation of drivers from Japan to join the Program started at the Kota circuit in Japan in September, with a total of six drivers were invited to the final training camp in Lapland in December. Hiroya Minowa, chosen to join the Program during this selection, will undertake an intensive training schedule during 2026 including his first rallies in Rally4 machinery.
HIROYA MINOWA
driver
- Born: 15 August 2009
- From: Tokyo, Japan
- Co-driver: Juho Koski-Lammi
- Fun fact: Became youngest Formula Drift winner aged 15
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