Neuville takes control at rain-soaked Safari Rally

Nairobi:belgianworldchampionshipleaderthierry Neuville took control of the Safari Rally Kenya on Thursday ater the opening special stage ahead of Estonia’s Ot Tanak, both driving a Hyundai.

Neuvilleedgedtanakbyaslim0.1-secondmargin ater the ‘super special’ where drivers competed two by two over a short loop during the day’s only stage on a rain-soaked and muddy track.

Finland’s double reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera was third fastest in a Toyota as the 23-year-old competes in just a few WRC world championship events this year.

Neuville leads Briton Elfyn Evans of Toyota by three points ater two rounds of the championship in Monte Carlo and Sweden.

Even if Hyundai are off to a good start to the season with Neuville winning in Monte Carlo and Finn Esapekka Lappi in Sweden, the Toyotas are favourites in Kenya ater winning the last three editions of the African event which made its return to WRC calendar in 2021.

The Safari Rally, third round of 13 in the championship, is considered the most difficult.

This year it takes place in the middle of the rainy season which makes the tracks muddy and difficult to navigate.

The 19 special stages covering 367.76 timed kilometres take place around Lake Naivasha and Lake Elementaita, in the middle of the Rit Valley, around 2,000 meters above sea level.

Thousands of passionate fans were vying for every possible vantage point as this 71st edition of the iconic Safari Rally got underway in the suburbs of Kenya’s capital. It followed a glitering ceremonial start in downtown Nairobi which was atended by President William Ruto.

Having recorded two non-finishes in Kenya from three previous atempts, Neuville is well aware that the going will get tougher from Friday onwards.

“It will be a challenging event,” he affirmed. “Our fingers are crossed that, this time, we can get throughwithoutanytechnicalproblemsormistakes. I think we are well prepared, and I am feeling good in the car, so it’s always good to start a rally like this.”

The action resumes at 08:15 local time on Friday morning with the first of the day’s six stages. The biggest challenge will be the 31.50km Kedong stage, which makes up the finale of the morning and aternoon loops.

Earlier, Principals of the FIA World Rally Championship teams were let stunned ater experiencing passenger rides with their drivers during the Safari Rally Kenya shakedown on Wednesday. Typically immersed in the hustle of the service park during rallies, Cyril Abiteboul, Richard Millener and Jari-mati Latvala found themselves in a different role—strapped into the passenger seats of their respective Rally1 cars for a thrilling experience on the Loldia shakedown stage.