Earlier this week it was announced that reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä will contest Safari Rally Kenya next month.
Second Event Of The Season
Kalle Rovanperä is only doing a partial campaign in 2024. As the reigning champion is taking the year to explore other motorsport disciplines and to take time off. Safari Rally Kenya will be Rovanperä’s second event of the season. Statistically, Rovanperä has done well at the calendar’s most challenging event. As the two-time champion has won the event once back in 2022 and finished second last season. Rovanperä is expected to be one of the front runners yet again this season.
A Bit Unexpected
Kalle Rovanperä wasn’t expected to contest Safari Rally Kenya. As Sebastien Ogier was expected to after winning the event last season. Nevertheless, Rovanperä is a welcomed addition to the event. This will likely open the door for Ogier to contest Croatia in April and then one of Rally Italia Sardegna or Vodafone Rally De Portugal in a few months. Both Ogier and Rovanperä are strong at the event. As Toyota will be looking to lock out the podium once again this season. As they’ve done so the last two runnings of the event. Hyundai will try their hardest to stop this. At this time it’s unknown who will fill the third seat for Hyundai at the event. It’s expected to be Rally Sweden winner Esapekka Lappi, however, the team has yet to confirm.
No 1-2-3-4 This Year
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT has nearly locked out the top five at Safari Rally Kenya for the past two seasons. This season it will be impossible for them to do so. As they will only be running three cars, hence they can’t have a 1-2-3-4 finish. Nevertheless, the team is expected to pull out almost all the stops to claim a podium lockout again this season.