Takamoto Katsuta will have a new co-driver alongside him at next week’s Rally Chile, with Aaron Johnston forced to miss the event as he continues to recover from the injuries sustained in their high-speed crash at Rally Paraguay.
Johnston suffered a fractured collarbone in the accident, and the short turnaround between the two South American rounds has left him with insufficient time to recover fully. Toyota has therefore selected fellow Irishman James Fulton to step into the co-driver’s seat alongside Katsuta in Chile.
The change comes after what has been a rollercoaster season for Katsuta and Johnston. The Toyota pairing claimed a breakthrough WRC victory in Kenya earlier in the year, but their Paraguay Rally came to a dramatic end after a high-speed crash.
Johnston explained that the accident happened through a fast left-right combination, with the GR Yaris Rally1 spending a considerable amount of time on two wheels before hitting a concrete telegraph pole and landing heavily back on the road.
Despite the severity of the impact, both crew members were able to walk away from the accident unaided. Johnston paid tribute to Toyota for producing a car strong enough to protect them, while also thanking Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe for stopping at the scene and assisting the crew immediately after the crash.
"Katsuta will compete in Chile alongside James Fulton, who will stand in for regular co-driver Aaron Johnston", Toyota's statement said.
"Following further examinations upon returning home after a high-speed accident on the final day in Paraguay, Johnston was found to have sustained a fracture to his collarbone, and will miss Rally Chile to allow more time to recover before returning to competition.
"The team wishes Johnston a speedy recovery and looks forward to welcoming him back to action soon".
Photo Credits: Toyota
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