Reigning Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Champions Harry Bates and Coral Taylor delivered a standout performance as special guest competitors for Toyota Gazoo Racing in Japan, securing second place at Rally Hokkaido.

Held in Hokkaido’s Central Tokachi region over the weekend, the Australian team faced multiple challenges on the opening leg, including a mechanical issue.

Despite the setback, Bates and Taylor continued on to win the opening stage and maintaining strong pace to finish Saturday in second place.

On Sunday, the duo dominated the field by winning three of the four stages on Leg Two, capping off a stellar performance in their Japanese Rally Championship debut.  

Their Rally Hokkaido appearance followed the recent participation of Toyota Gazoo Racing development driver Nao Otake and co-driver Hideki Takeyabu in last month’s The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally. 

Bates and Taylor’s trip to Japan marks a continuation of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s global talent development and international collaboration efforts.

The duo’s participation in the Japanese event formed part of a growing international partnership between Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia and its Japanese counterpart, supported by Neal Bates Motorsport. 

Reflecting on his Rally Hokkaido experience, Bates was thrilled with the second-place outcome.

“I’m extremely happy with second place, it’s like a dream to come over here and in my first rally in Japan I got a podium, so I was very happy with that,” Bates said.

“Thank you so much to Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia for making this happen, and also the cooperation with TGR-WRJ, they gave us so much support this weekend, their mechanics were unbelievable, and really, really good at working on my car.” 

Co-driver Coral Taylor echoed Bates’ sentiment and grateful for the opportunity to participate in this collaboration between Toyota Australia and Japan. 

“We’ve had a fantastic time here, really fantastic,” Taylor said. 

“It’s been a huge collaboration between Toyota Gazoo Racing Japan and Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia, but also the event organisers have been super helpful, the Japanese people in general have been super welcoming and friendly, and just can’t do enough to help you.

“I think Harry drove a brilliant event here, and it was all very close. Our event apart from a slight mechanical issue had gone perfectly, and we really enjoyed ourselves.”

With their successful Japanese campaign now behind them, Bates and Taylor return to Australia for the next round of the 2024 Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship at the Adelaide Hills Rally, taking place from 13-15 September.