Bosch Motorsport Australian Rally Championship (ARC) leader Harry Bates will take his 2024 campaign international in the coming weeks, the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver heading to Japan to compete in Rally Hokkaido.
With strong partnerships internationally through Japanese car manufacturer Toyota, the Neal Bates Motorsport front-runner will participate in what is being coined a rally exchange program.
Competing in the recent Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally, Toyato Gazoo Racing’s Japanese counterparts and Nao Otake and Hideki Takeyabu were able to redeem a rocky start to their weekend with a third-place MainFix ARC Production Cup finish.
Speaking with ARC TV Presenter and
Rusty’s Garage podcast host Greg Rust, Bates was grateful for the opportunity to travel with the team overseas and gain varied experience ahead of the remaining two ARC rounds.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for me to do some rallying on the other side of the world and it feels very special to be given the opportunity,” Bates said.
“Really, it all came about because Toyota Gazoo Racing based out of Japan were very keen to do a round of the Australian Rally Championship.
“We saw the first part of this collaboration happen at the recent Gippsland Rally, where a young driver by the name of Nao Otake competed in his GR Yaris that they actually brought over from Japan.
“The second part of this deal - or collaboration - is for us to head over there and for me to compete in the Rally Hokkaido.”
A collaboration in the works for more than a year, Bates’ opportunity in Hokkaido represents a global focus for Toyota Gazoo Racing, one that enables information sharing and development opportunities across their various teams.
“We’re really like the pilot. It’s something Japan came to Australia about almost twelve months ago,” he said.
“The conversations have been happening for some time and their very keen for what they’re doing with Toyota Gazoo Racing to be seen as far more than something in each individual region, but as more of a global partnership and something that they can do on a broader scale.
“The big benefit is I get that international experience. I'm able to go and do a really famous rally in Hokkaido and it's a great opportunity for my career and for the whole team here at Neil Bates Motorsport.”
Forming part of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and JAF Japan Rally Championship (JRC), Rally Hokkaido is held in central Tokachi and is a course known for its tight, but high-speed roads.
Calling on the experience of his ARC competitors, Bates is eager to try his hand at the famous course fresh off the Gippsland win.
“The roads look very fast and narrow which is typically the sort of roads I like so I'm quite excited about what I see when I review last year's onboards,” he said.
“The other benefit I've got is the likes of Chris Atkinson, Cody Crocker, Anthony McLaughlin, my brother's co -driver and teammate - so those guys have all competed in Hokkaido before.
“They've got lots of experience on those roads, so I've just been able to have little conversations here and there and get a few tips from them. I'm feeling as ready as I can be, but I'm sure it'll be a big challenge.”
Hoping to use his experience in Hokkaido as a springboard for further international opportunities, Bates is already planning his calendar for 2025.
But ahead of him for 2024 is two remaining ARC rounds in South Australia and Tasmania, currently holding a 61-point championship lead over Eddie Maguire and Zak Brakey.
“I really hope that this opportunity in Japan does lead to more opportunities over in that part of the world. I see it as a cool way to do a few more rallies a year. So that's probably one of the goals,” he said.
“I am always keeping an eye out for those opportunities and already I'm having a few conversations about what extra things I might be able to do in 2025.”
You can listen to even more motorsport podcasts, including plenty of great interviews with Australian rallying royalty through the Rusty’s Garage podcast series.