Commanding WRC Safari lead «not even close to being enough»
The reigning world champion delivered a dominant display to reel off the fastest times in all six of Friday’s stages to open up a commanding 56.9s lead over Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans. Rovanpera’s most impressive drive arrived in stage four where he was 11.1s faster than nearest rival Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, who retired from the […]
Gearbox explosion caused Lappi’s Safari Rally exit
The Rally Sweden winner was forced to surrender second position when his i20 N ground to a halt in stage five with a transmission issue. The Finn cut a frustrated figure, admitting there was no warning of the imminent failure. His exit comes after suffering four propshaft failures during last year’s visit to Kenya which […]
Tanak, Lappi retirements hands Rovanpera huge lead
Rovanpera set a blistering pace across the day’s six stages aboard his factory Toyota to lead team-mate Elfyn Evans by 56.9s heading into Saturday. Takamoto Katsuta ended the day in third [+1m00.8s] to set up a provisional Toyota 1-2-3 after a nightmare day for Hyundai. Lappi had trailed Rovanpera by 15.5s heading into the afternoon […]
Neuville reveals “MacGyver” style WRC Safari Rally car repair
The WRC points leader suffered a right-rear puncture towards the end of stage three after clipping some loose rocks at the side of the road. Neuville pressed on in the hope not to drop too much time, before his tyre exploded in sight of the finish. The Belgian reached the stage end losing 19.9s but the […]
Rovanpera stuns rivals to lead as Neuville suffers puncture
Two-time world champion Rovanpera, making the second start of a partial WRC campaign, managed to tame an at times ill-handling GR Yaris to open up a 15.5s lead over Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi. Ott Tanak headed to midday service in third [+16.8s] ahead of Toyota pair Takamoto Katsuta [+41.3s] and Elfyn Evans [+43.1s], with Neuville sixth […]
Kenya president pushing for longer WRC Safari Rally
The Safari Rally is renowned as the most gruelling event on the WRC schedule testing drivers and teams to the absolute limit. The event returned to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year hiatus but in a much shorter format. This year’s edition, operated by a new Kenyan organiser, will be contested over four […]
How WRC Rally1 teams embraced the return of the snorkel
A change in FIA regulations that coincides with the Safari Rally moving to a more traditional March date in Kenya’s rainy season has allowed Rally1 teams to fit these devices to cars for the first time. Snorkels have long been a feature in the WRC and have been particularly associated with the Safari Rallys of […]
Kenya launches motorsport academy to nurture future WRC stars
The Talanta Motorsport Academy is the latest addition to the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS), based near the site of the rally’s opening stage at Kasarani in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi. The academy was launched by Kenya’s deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who described the project as a major milestone in Kenyan sporting history. Kenya has […]
Neuville edges Tanak to grab early lead
The most gruelling event on the WRC calendar began with its traditional Kasarani side-by-side super special [4.84km] in the centre of the Kenyan capital city Nairobi. Neuville came out on top with a 0.1-second margin over Tanak. Neuville took on Toyota title rival Elfyn Evans in their heat, which resulted in the former posting a […]