Exploring Intimate Moments with Morizo at Rally Hokkaido - Contemplating a Century and the Celica Resurgence
In the world of motorsports, there's been a flurry of activity from some of the industry's biggest names. Let's take a closer look at the latest developments involving Subaru's absence from the World Rally Championship (WRC) and Toyota's re-entry into the rally scene, as well as the exciting ventures of Hitoshi Morizo, the man behind ROOKIE Racing and the new Century.
Subaru's WRC Absence
As of August 2025, Subaru has not returned as a factory team to the WRC. While the Subaru WRX model continues to hold a strong legacy in rallying and has been showcased in events like Goodwood, it is not part of an official WRC factory campaign. The 2025 WRC season is dominated by teams like Toyota and Hyundai, with Subaru conspicuously absent.
Subaru's current focus seems to be on motorsport-related showcases and special WRX editions rather than a full WRC return. Rally legend Gigi Galli, associated with Subaru's rally heritage, is active in historic and tribute events like Rallylegend 2025 but not in the WRC. As of now, there are no indications of an imminent Subaru factory team comeback in the top-level WRC events for 2025 or 2026.
Toyota's Rally Resurgence
Toyota returned to the rally world in 2017 after a 17-year hiatus, and its impact has been significant. Hitoshi Morizo, Chairman Akio Toyoda's right-hand man, has been deeply involved in the redesign of the new Century, a premium, chauffeur-driven car designed to appeal to a wider audience, including younger people who may not have considered a Century in the past.
Morizo, who owns and operates ROOKIE Racing, a privateer team, has gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by the team. This has allowed him to connect with the team on a deeper level. ROOKIE Racing operates mostly on borrowed funds due to Toyota's reluctance to provide vehicles.
Morizo's Adventures in Rally Hokkaido
Morizo was a prominent figure at Rally Hokkaido, where he performed demo runs and flag-waving duties at the starting line. He also had a demo run at the rally's special stage on the same day as Juha Kankkunen, a four-time World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers' title winner. During the final day of Toyota Times' live coverage of Rally Hokkaido, Morizo and Chairman Akio Toyoda visited the studio for an on-air interview.
The interview went beyond rally to topics such as the Century and Celica. Morizo also shared his opinion about bringing in more teams with the FIA president and invited more competitors to rally events, emphasising the importance of this for the development of talent and the fans.
In a unique turn of events, Morizo interviewed and interpreted for Jari-Matti Latvala, World Rally Team Principal, after his dominating performance in Rally Hokkaido. Morizo has also stated that he will be attending Rally Japan in a white Century and provided driver's perspective insights on each run during the rally.
Looking Ahead
Subaru's decision about returning to the rally world remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Toyota and Morizo are making waves in the motorsport scene. The new Century is a testament to Toyota's commitment to appealing to a wider audience, and Morizo's adventures in rallying continue to inspire and captivate fans. Stay tuned for more updates as these stories unfold.
In the motorsports world, Subaru's absence from the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the 2025 season is noticeable, as they have not returned as a factory team despite the WRC being dominated by teams like Toyota and Hyundai. On the other hand, Toyota's return to the rally world in 2017, under the leadership of Hitoshi Morizo, has brought significant impact, with Morizo also making a mark in rally events like Rally Hokkaido, where he performed demo runs and shared his views about the development of talent and the importance of rally events.
