The afternoon loop of the third day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Sebastien Ogier remains in the lead after the loop.
SS11, SOYSAMBU 2
Stage 11 would see Sebastien Ogier back on top. As Ogier set a time 6.4 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta would finish third fastest on the stage, 5.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.7 seconds slower than Katsuta. Dani Sordo would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 7.8 seconds slower than Evans.
SS12, ELMENTEITA 2
Takamoto Katsuta (JPN) Aaron Johnston (IRL) Of team TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT is seen during the World Rally Championship Kenya in Naivasha, Kenya on 24 June, 2023 // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool
Takamoto Katsuta would take the stage win on the 12th stage of Safari Rally Kenya. As Katsuta set a time 2.3 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take his first stage win of the event. Thierry Neuville would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, 1 second slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage once again, setting a time 1.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than Evans.
SS13, SLEEPING WARRIOR 2
The third and final stage of the third day of Safari Rally Kenya would see Kalle Rovanperä take the stage win. Rovanperä would finish the stage with a time 13.1 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Sebastien Ogier set the third fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta would finish fourth on the stage, 16.6 seconds slower than Ogier. WRC2 driver Oliver Solberg would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 21.3 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Trouble For Lappi
Esapekka Lappi (FIN) Janne Ferm (FIN) Of HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS WORLD RALLY TEAM is seen during the World Rally Championship Kenya in Naivasha, Kenya on 23 June, 2023 // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool
Esapekka Lappi would unfortunately be forced to retire on SS11. This would come as a result of a technical issue. Lappi sat third overall heading into SS11. With 49.7 seconds separating him and Elfyn Evans who sat in fourth, and 56.3 seconds between him and Kalle Rovanperä who sat in second. This is a rather unfortunate result for both Lappi and Hyundai. As this was Lappi’s first time at Safari Rally Kenya, and Hyundai needed the manufactures points. Now it looks like Toyota will once again take home all three podium spots.
What To Expect For Day Four
The fourth and final day of Safari Rally Kenya will once again feature 6 special stages. Sebastien Ogier leads Kalle Rovanperä by 16.7 seconds heading into the day. Toyota could get Ogier and Rovanperä to swap positions tomorrow. As Rovanperä needs the championship points more than Ogier at this point. Takamoto Katsuta and Elfyn Evans will likely take tomorrow a bit easier. As over 2 minutes separate Evans from Rovanperä, and a minute separates Katsuta from Dani Sordo. Just 16.7 seconds separate Evans and Katsuta, but Katsuta and Evans will likely just let each other race their own race and not try to move up in time.
Safari Rally Kenya Day Three Morning Loop Recap