Kenyan Kickoff: President Ruto Flags Off 73rd Safari Rally Kenya, Tänak Dominates Opening Stages The 73rd Safari Rally Kenya roared to life in Nairobi, with Kenyan President William Ruto officially launching the iconic event. Drama unfolded on the stages as Ott Tänak showcased his prowess, topping the timesheets after the initial two tests. President Ruto flagged off the leading crews in the Kenyan capital, before the rally moved to the packed Kasarani Stadium for a super special stage. Thousands of enthusiastic fans witnessed the WRC stars in action, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The rally then transitioned to the all-new Mzabibu test, near Naivasha, where the real competition began.
Pushing Limits: Tänak’s Commanding Run and Early Standings Championship leader Elfyn Evans initially set the pace in Kasarani, but Ott Tänak responded with a commanding run on the longer, more technical Mzabibu stage. The Hyundai i20 N Rally1 driver surged from fourth to first, concluding the day 2.4 seconds ahead of Takamoto Katsuta. Grégoire Munster, driving an M-Sport Ford Puma, followed closely behind, just two-tenths of a second adrift. “For me, it was all fine,” Tänak stated, anticipating the challenges of the upcoming stages. “I think the first stage tomorrow will show quite a lot. It’s super tricky, very demanding and long at the same time. I think the whole day will be quite a big show.” Katsuta, a seasoned podium finisher in Kenya, nearly took the lead but for a momentary lapse in SS2, where he ran wide on a left-hander, losing valuable time.
Challenges and Setbacks: Technical Issues and Close Competition Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans, Katsuta’s Toyota GR Yaris teammates, completed the top five. However, Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux faced significant trouble, failing to start SS2 due to an engine issue after the regroup. Defending champion Thierry Neuville also encountered a difficult start, grappling with technical problems on his i20 N Rally1 following a two-wheeled moment, placing him eighth behind Josh McErlean and Sami Pajari. The day’s action set the stage for a thrilling continuation on Friday, with six more stages, including the formidable 31.40km Camp Moran test, promising to test the drivers’ skills and endurance.
Summary:
- President William Ruto launches 73rd Safari Rally Kenya.
- Ott Tänak leads after the opening two stages.
- Takamoto Katsuta and Grégoire Munster follow closely.
- Technical issues plague Hyundai’s Fourmaux and Neuville.
- Action continues on Friday with six more stages.
Disclaimer: Rally results and standings are subject to change. Consult official WRC sources for accurate information.
Source: WRC
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
