The eSports WRC championship has hit its midway point with action moving to the winding asphalt roads of Japan from 29 April – 02 May.
The move to Japanese soil is apt timing for rookie sensation Kazunokota, who will be trying to use home advantage to return to the top of the championship standings, having been surpassed in the previous round.
Kazunokota had been leading since the get-go in 2022, but a trio of victories for 2020 champion Sami-Joe has seen the Lebanese teenager overtake his Japanese rival and build a six-point advantage at the top of the table.
The pairing have a healthy 40-point gap over their closest rivals, who now appear resigned to battle for third place in the championship. Just two points divide third-placed Izmusing from his Race Clutch team-mate Nexl and Zeniou from No Grip Rally Team.
For 2021 champion Nexl, Japan offers the opportunity for the Frenchman to get his season back on track. An eleventh and ninth-place finish in his last two outings respectively have seen Nexl trending in the wrong direction.
Competitors will tackle two challenges this weekend: Nagakute and Shitara Reverse. With clear weather expected throughout the weekend, it is Shitara Reverse which will likely create the biggest challenge with its multiple hairpin sections.
Competition is open to anyone on WRC 10.
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