President Ruto Launches Safari Rally Kenya as Tänak Takes Early Lead

President Ruto officiated the kickoff of the Safari Rally Kenya, which began in Nairobi and drew significant fanfare. Ott Tänak surged to an early lead, overcoming Elfyn Evans. Despite challenges for drivers like Adrien Fourmaux, he aims to continue competing. The rally’s next stages promise excitement as competitors navigate demanding courses.

President William Ruto officially commenced the Safari Rally Kenya by flagging off the leading crews in Nairobi. Subsequently, the event proceeded to the nearby Kasarani Stadium for an exhilarating super special stage, attracting thousands of spectators eager to witness the World Rally Championship (WRC) stars in action. The rally later transitioned to the new Mzabibu test, located approximately 10 kilometers from the rally base in Naivasha.

Early competition saw Elfyn Evans, the championship leader, establish a strong pace in Kasarani. However, Ott Tänak responded effectively in SS2, exhibiting exceptional performance on the more intricate stage, rising from fourth to first position and finishing the day 2.4 seconds ahead of Takamoto Katsuta. Grégoire Munster from M-Sport Ford Puma closely followed, just two-tenths of a second behind.

Tänak expressed his confidence, stating, “For me, it was all fine. 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 three-time podium finisher in Kenya, experienced a setback due to a mishap in SS2, where he lost valuable seconds after running wide.

Kalle Rovanperä and Evans rounded out the top five for Toyota, while Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux was unable to compete in SS2 due to engine failure. His teammate and titleholder, Thierry Neuville, also faced difficulties with his car, landing in eighth place behind competitors Josh McErlean and Sami Pajari.

The rally will continue on Friday morning with six stages planned, highlighted by the challenging 31.40km Camp Moran test, set to initiate both the morning and afternoon sessions. Fourmaux, although forced to retire for the day, intends to resume on Friday, aiming to secure as many points as possible. “It’s the type of rally where we can still score some points, even after retiring on the first day,” he remarked, demonstrating his determination despite the setback.

He detailed the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his vehicle: “We have an electrical issue; the battery is completely dead. We managed to jump-start the car, but after 10 seconds it stops and dies. It’s really frustrating, but there’s nothing else we can do.”

The Safari Rally Kenya commenced successfully with President Ruto’s involvement, witnessing Ott Tänak take an early lead amidst fierce competition. While championship leader Elfyn Evans started strong, Tänak’s strategic performance in SS2 propelled him ahead. Notably, Fourmaux’s engine issues underscored the rally’s challenges, although he remains optimistic about the upcoming stages. As the event progresses, spectators can anticipate thrilling displays from the WRC competitors.

Original Source: www.wrc.com