Safari Rally Kenya Kajetanowicz Wins

The fourth and final day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Kajetan Kajetanowicz would hold on to take home the win.

SS14, MALEWA 1

Oliver Solberg would take the first-stage win on the final day of Safari Rally Kenya. As Solberg would finish with a time 5.6 seconds faster than Grégoire Munster to take the stage win. Daniel Chwist would round out the top three on the stage, finishing 18.6 seconds slower than Munster.

SS15, OSERIAN 1

Stage 15 would once again see Oliver Solberg take the stage win. Solberg would set a time 29.8 seconds faster than Grégoire Munster to take the stage win. Armin Kremer would finish third fastest on the stage, 36.9 seconds slower than Munster. 

SS16, HELL’S GATE 1

If you guessed Oliver Solberg would take the win on stage 16 on Safari Rally Kenya, you’d be correct. As Solberg would set a time 5.3 seconds slower than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to take the stage win. Grégoire Munster would round out the top three on the stage, 4.8 seconds slower than Kajetanoiwcz. 

SS17, MALEWA 2

Oliver Solberg would once again take the stage win on stage 17. As Solberg would set a time 8.3 seconds faster than Daniel Chwist to take the stage win. Kajetan Kajetanowicz would finish third fastest on the stage, finishing 15.7 seconds slower than Chwist.

SS18, OSERIAN 2

Oliver Solberg would also take the stage win on SS18 of Safari Rally Kenya. Solberg would set a time 1 minute and 5.8 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to win the stage. Daniel Chwist would round out the three on the stage, finishing 10.6 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. 

SS19, HELL’S GATE 2 – WOLF POWER STAGE

Stage 19 would see Oliver Solberg win an eighth consecutive stage, it would also be Solberg’s last stage win of the event, as well SS19 was the final stage of Safari Rally Kenya. Solberg would finish the stage with a time 8.1 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to take the stage win. Martin Prokop would round out the top three on the stage, finishing 11.3 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. 

The fourth and final day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Sebastien Ogier would hold on to the lead to take the win. 

SS17, MALEWA 2

Kalle Rovanperä would take the stage win on the first stage of the afternoon loop. As Rovanperä would set a time 0.6 seconds faster than Sebastian Ogier to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta would finish third fastest on the stage, 7.4 seconds slower than Ogier. 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 0.7 seconds slower than Evans. 

SS18, OSERIAN 2

Stage 18 of Safari Rally Kenya would see Takamoto Katsuta take the stage win. Katsuta would set a time 11 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä would finish third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Evans. Dani Sordo set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Thierry Neuville would round out the top five on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Sordo. 

SS19, HELL’S GATE 2 – WOLF POWER STAGE

The final stage of Safari Rally Kenya would see Ott Tänak take the stage win. Tänak would set a time 0.7 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to take the stage win. Sebastien Ogier would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, 2.4 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Esapekka Lappi set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Ogier. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five, finishing with a time 2.2 seconds slower than Lappi.

Safari Rally Kenya Day Four Morning Loop Recap

The morning loop of the fourth and final day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Sebastien Ogier would remain in the lead. 

SS14, MALEWA 1

Kalle Rovanperä would take home the stage win on the 14th stage of Safari Rally Kenya. As Rovanperä would set a time 8.1 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Katsuta. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.7 seconds slower than Tänak.

SS15, OSERIAN 1

Stage 14 of Safari Rally Kenya would see Sebastien Ogier take the stage win. With Ogier setting a time 8.6 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to take the stage win. Ott Tänak would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, finishing 7.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Thierry Neuville would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 5.6 seconds slower than Evans. 

SS16, HELL’S GATE 1

Ott Tänak would take the stage win on the final stage of Safari Rally Kenya day four’s morning loop. With Tänak setting a time 0.6 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Evans. 

The third day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Kajetan Kajetanowicz would reclaim first in the WRC2 class during the day.

SS8, SOYSAMBU 1

Oliver Solberg would take the stage win on SS8, setting a time 1 minute and 9.8 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz. Grégoire Munster would round out the top three on the stage, finishing 3.9 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.

SS9, ELMENTEITA 1

Stage 9 of Safari Rally Kenya would once again see Oliver Solberg take the stage win on SS9. With Solberg setting a time 24.3 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz. Grégoire Munster would round out the top three on the stage, finishing 7.6 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. 

SS10, SLEEPING WARRIOR 1

Kajetan Kajetanowicz would take the stage win on SS10, setting a time 22.1 seconds faster than Grégoire Munster. Carl Tundo would round out the top three on the stage, finishing 1 minute and 28.9 seconds slower than Munster.

SS11, SOYSAMBU 2

Stage 11 of Safari Rally Kenya would see Oliver Solberg take the stage win. Solberg would set a time 26.7 seconds faster than Grégoire Munster to take the stage win. Kajetan Kajetanowicz would finish third fastest on the stage, 10.3 seconds slower than Munster.

SS12, ELMENTEITA 2

Oliver Solberg would once again take the stage win on SS12. With Solberg setting a time 9.2 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz. Martin Prokop would round out the top three on the stage, finishing 46.7 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.

SS13, SLEEPING WARRIOR 2

The sixth and final stage of the third day of Safari Rally Kenya would see Oliver Solberg take the stage win. Solberg would set a time 2 minutes and 42 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz. Armin Kremer would finish third fastest on the stage, finishing with a time 2.4 seconds slower than  Kajetanowicz. 

Trouble For Munster

Grégoire Munster would retire from Safari Rally Kenya on SS12. This would come as a result of a mechanical issue. It’s unknown if Munster will start the fourth and final day of the event.

Safari Rally Kenya WRC2 Day Two Recap

We are hours away from the start of the fourth and final day of Safari Rally Kenya, but there could be a tough decision made by Toyota before or during the day.

What Tough Decision Does Toyota Have?

Toyota could get Sebastien Oiger and Kalle Rovanperä to swap places on the final day of the event. Ogier leads Rovanperä by 16.7 seconds heading into the final day of Safari Rally Kenya. 

Why This Could Happen

There are a couple of cases why Toyota could want this to happen. With the main reason being Rovanperä needs the championship points more than Ogier at this point in time. Rovanperä leads the 2023 WRC Drivers’ Championship by just 25 points over Thierry Neuville. Neuville currently sits 9th overall, 4 minutes and 13.1 seconds behind Kajetan Kajetanowicz who sits 8th. This means Neuville will likely only take ninth place points (2) and likely powerstage points home in Kenya. Provisionally this finish would put Neuville in a tie for third place with Sebastien Ogier, with both drivers having 95 points, 3 less than Elfyn Evans. If Toyota elects to swap Rovanperä and Ogier, Neuville would likely take sole possession of third. If Rovanperä were to win the event and take home 25 points he’d sit 45 points up on Evans, as opposed to 38 if he took second-place points. Toyota could make this swap happen in a couple different ways, the easiest way would be for Ogier to take a penalty or two and get behind Rovanperä and just lay off a bit. Ogier could also just lay off a bit at the start of SS14. 

Why This Likely Won’t Happen

Although having Rovanperä and Ogier swap places makes sense for Rovanperä’s championship push, it likely won’t happen. Rarely do teams actually do this sort of move because it is risky. A recent example of this scenario playing out came at Rally Sweden earlier this season. When Hyundai decided to have Craig Breen and Thierry Neuville attempt to swap spots. Unfortunately for Neuville and Hyundai, it didn’t work out, as Breen still finished second and Neuville third. This decision may not even be something Toyota talks about due to the risk involved with it. Sure Toyota has a hard lock on the podium at Safari Rally Kenya this weekend, but there is still a risk involved. There’s also no guarantee the swap would work like the previously mentioned example didn’t. There’s also the question of will Rovanperä and Ogier agree to have this happen. As even a second place finish for Rovanperä isn’t a bad result championship wise. It’ll be the question of do Ogier, Rovanperä and Toyota think 7 or so points will increase Rovanperä’s championship hopes by an amount that’s worth it for all involved. 

Safari Rally Kenya Day Three Afternoon Loop Recap

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 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 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

The morning loop of the third day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Sebastien Ogier would remain in the lead after the loop. 

SS8, SOYSAMBU 1

Stage eight of Safari Rally Kenya would see Sebastien Ogier take yet another stage win. Ogier would set a time 7.6 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to take the stage win. Esapekka Lappi finished third on the stage, 19.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Takamoto Katsuta set the third fastest time on the stage, 7.8 seconds slower than Lappi. Ott Tänak would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. 

SS9, ELMENTEITA 1

Stage nine would finally see somebody other than Sebastien Ogier take a stage win. As Kalle Rovanperä would take the win on stage nine of Safari Rally Kenya. With Rovanperä finishing 0.6 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the win. Elfyn Evans would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.6 seconds slower than Lappi.

SS10, SLEEPING WARRIOR 1

The third and final stage of the third day’s morning loop would see Kalle Rovanperä take the stage win once again. Rovanperä set a time 3.5 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to take the stage win. Sebastien Ogier finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 4.2 seconds slower than Lappi. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 14.5 seconds slower than Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.7 seconds slower than Evans. 

Trouble For Evans

Elfyn Evans would experience a slight setback on SS8. This setback would be caused by a water crossing. Evans would hit a semi-deep water crossing just the wrong way, causing his Yaris to stall as a result. Evans would lose about 40 seconds to Esapekka Lappi because of the stall. Evans would fall to fourth overall and promote Lappi to third due to the time loss.

Safari Rally Kenya Day Two Afternoon Loop Recap

The second day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Grégoire Munster leads the WRC2 class after the day.

SS2, LOLDIA 1

Oliver Solberg would take the top step on the second stage of Safari Rally Kenya. Solberg would set a time 33.9 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to take the win. Grégoire Munster would finish third on the stage, finishing 9.3 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Martin Prokop would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 10.6 seconds slower than Munster. Armin Kremer would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.7 seconds slower than Prokop. 

SS3, GEOTHERMAL 1

Stage Three would see Oliver Solberg take his third consecutive stage win. Solberg would set a time 11.5 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to take the stage win. Grégoire Munster would finish third on the stage, finishing 6.2 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Martin Prokop would once again finish fourth on the stage, finishing 11.5 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Armin Kremer would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 12 seconds slower than Prokop.

SS4, KEDONG 1

If you guess Oliver Solberg won stage four of Safari Rally Kenya, you’d be correct. As Solberg would set a time 51.2 seconds faster than Grégoire Munster to take the stage win. Kajetan Kajetanowicz would finish third on the stage, 37.5 seconds slower than Munster. Armin Kremer would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 6.4 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Martin Prokop would round out the top five, finishing 12.9 seconds slower than Kremer. 

SS5, LOLDIA 2

Oliver Solberg would also take the stage win on SS5. Solberg would finish the stage 21.1 seconds faster than Grégoire Munster to win the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz would finish third on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Munster. Martin Prokop would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 18.5 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Armin Kremer would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 19.4 seconds slower than Prokop. 

SS6, GEOTHERMAL 2

Oliver Solberg would once again take the stage win on the sixth stage of Safarj Rally Kenya. With Solberg setting a time 6.9 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to take the stage win. Grégoire Munster would finish third fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Martin Prokop would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 17.3 seconds slower than Munster. Armin Kremer would round out the top five, finishing 5.1 seconds slower than Prokop.

SS7, KEDONG 2

Stage seven of Safari Rally Kenya would finally see somebody other than Oliver Solberg win the stage. As Grégoire Munster would take the stage win. Munster would set a time 3.9 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to take the stage win. Martin Prokop would finish third on the stage, 1 minute and 19.8 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Carl Tundo would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 14 seconds slower than Prokop. Aakif Virani would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 2 minutes and 3.4 seconds slower than Tundo. 

Puncture For Solberg

Oliver Solberg would suffer a puncture on SS7. The puncture would ultimately cause too much damage to his car and he would be forced to retire from the day. Solberg does plan on restarting the rally on day three, so prepare to see more Oliver Solberg stage wins. Fortunately for Solberg, this setback doesn’t cost him much. As Solberg elected to not score points at the Safari Rally Kenya. This is a result of Solberg wanting to win the WRC2 championship against a more stacked field of WRC2 drivers. 

Safari Rally Kenya Day One Recap

The second day of the Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Sébastien Ogier would retain his lead over Kalle Rovanperä. 

SS5, LOLDIA 2

Stage five of Safari Rally Kenya would once again see Sébastien Ogier on top. Ogier would set a time 8.4 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to take the stage win. Ott Tänak would finish third on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Lappi. Elfyn Evans would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Tänak. Dani Sordo would round out the top five, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than Evans. 

SS6, GEOTHERMAL 2

The sixth stage of Safari Rally Kenya would see Sébastien Ogier take his second consecutive stage win. Ogier would set a time 1.2 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä would finish third on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Lappi. Elfyn Evans would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Takamoto Katsuta would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Evans.

SS7, KEDONG 2

The seventh and final stage of the second day of Safari Rally Kenya would see Sébastien Ogier take his third consecutive stage win. Ogier would finish 2.4 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to take home the stage win. Esapekka Lappi would finish third on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans would set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 7.1 seconds slower than Lappi. Ott Tänak would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 10.9 seconds slower than Evans. 

Trouble For Neuville

Thierry Neuville would be the first major player caught out by Safari Rally Kenya. As Neuville would break his suspension on SS6. This was a rather unfortunate break for Neuville who sat fourth, 5.3 seconds back from Elfyn Evans heading into the stage. Neuville will likely be back out on the stages tomorrow.

What To Expect From Day Three

There’s still plenty of racing to be had at the Safari Rally Kenya. Sebastien Ogier holds a nice 22.8-second lead over Kalle Rovanperä. Expect Rovanperä to try and close that gap down to the low teens tomorrow. Elfyn Evans sits rather comfortably in third, as Esapekka Lappi sits 10.5 seconds behind him and Rovanperä sits 20.7 seconds ahead of him. Lappi will likely look the close the gap between him and Evans to try and get on the podium in his first-ever Safari Rally Kenya. Takamoto Katsuta will also likely be looking to close the gap between himself and Lappi down from 25.4 seconds. Both M-Sport Ford drivers are way behind the pack, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the race. As in Kenya you can lose 10 seconds on a stage and gain 30 on the next. It’s a battle of endurance more than it is a battle of time. Nonetheless, Tänak and Loubet will have a hard time coming back if they wanted to.

Safari Rally Kenya Day Two Loop One Recap

The first loop of the second day of the Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Sebastien Ogier leads the pack after SS4.

SS2, LOLDIA 1

Sebastien Ogier would take the first full-stage win of Safari Rally Kenya. Ogier would finish with a time 7.5 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä who would place second on the stage. Elfyn Evans set the third fastest time on the stage, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Thierry Neuville finished with the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Evans. Takamoto Katsuta would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than Neuville.

SS3, GEOTHERMAL 1

Stage three of Safari Rally Kenya would see Esapekka Lappi take the win. Lappi would set a time 1.2 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to take the stage win. Takamoto Katsuta would finish with the third fastest time on the stage, finishing 1.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 1 second slower than Katsuta. Elfyn Evans would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä.

SS4, KEDONG 1

Kalle Rovanperä would take the stage win on the third and final stage of the first loop on day two of Safari Rally Kenya. Rovanperä would set a time 8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Rally leader Sebastien Ogier would finish third on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 4.7 seconds slower than Ogier. Dani Sordo would round out the top five on the stage, finishing 7.9 seconds slower than Evans. 

Zebra Crossing

Safari Rally Kenya is unique in many different ways. One of those ways the rally is unique is the amount of wildlife around and on the event’s stages. Ott Tänak would be the first to get a taste of that wildlife this weekend. As Tänak would lose 6 or so seconds on SS2 due to Zebra’s being in the road. 

Trouble For M-Sport

Ott Tänak came into day two of Safari Rally Kenya with a 0.1-second lead over Sebastien Ogier. Unfortunately, Tänak wouldn’t have much luck on the opening loop of day two. As Tänak would encounter a Zebra crossing on SS2 as previously mentioned as well as a puncture and engine issues on SS4. This would ultimately rob us of a chance to see Ogier and Tänak battle it out during the second day of the event, and maybe even longer. Pierre-Louis Loubet would also experience engine issues on day two. With Loubet experiencing them on the opening stage of the day. It’s unknown if the engine issue was the same for both Tänak and Loubet.

Trouble For Lappi

Esapekka Lappi would take home one stage win on the opening loop. Unfortunately, Lappi wasn’t able to keep his luck heading into the following stage. As Lappi would suffer a puncture on the stage, costing him about 30 seconds in time. 

What To Expect From This Afternoon

Day two of Safari Rally Kenya still has three more stages to run. All of which are repeats of the first three stages of the day. It’s expected the stages will be more rutted, and harder to drive for the drivers. Expect a few drivers to try and move up the leaderboard this afternoon. Namely Ott Tänak who will be looking to have a strong result after only taking home 4 points in Sardegna last month. Kalle Rovanperä and Sebastien Ogier will likely battle it out all afternoon, with both drivers wanting to be first at the end of the day. 

Safari Rally Kenya Tänak Leads After Day One