The fourth and final day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Gus Greensmith held on to take the win.
SS14, Malewa 1
Class leader Gus Greensmith kicked off the final day with a stage win. Greensmith set a time 6.5 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to claim the stage win. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 12 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS15, Oserengoni 1
Oliver Solberg took home the stage win on the fifteenth stage of Safari Rally Kenya. Solberg was 6.7 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith on the stage. Niclas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 16.6 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS16, Hell’s Gate 1
Oliver Solberg capped off the morning loop with his second stage win of the day. Solberg posted a time 0.4 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to take the stage win. Niclas Ciamin once again finished third fastest on the stage, 18.5 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS17, Malewa 2
Oliver Solberg kicked off the afternoon loop with his third stage win of the day. Solberg finished 4.3 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to take his third consecutive stage win. Charles Munster was third fastest on the stage, 14.3 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS18, Oserengoni 2
Oliver Solberg also took the stage win on the penultimate stage of Safari Rally Kenya. As Solberg set a time 18.5 seconds faster than class leader Gus Greensmith. Niclas Ciamin finished third fastest on the eighteenth stage of the weekend. Ciamin finished 6.7 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS19, Hell’s Gate 2
Oliver Solberg also took home the win on the final stage of the weekend. As the Swede and WRC2 championship favorite finished with a time 8.5 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to cap off the event. Last year’s WRC2 Safari Rally Kenya winner Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage. Kajetanwoicz finished 4.8 seconds slower than Greensmith on the stage.
The third day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Gus Greensmith retained his lead after the day.
SS8, Soysambu 1
Oliver Solberg kicked off the second day with a stage win. As Solberg set a time 37.2 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to claim the stage win. Diego Dominquez rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 16.9 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS9, Elmenteita 1
Gus Greensmith took home his first stage win of the day on the ninth stage of Safari Rally Kenya. Greensmith posted a time 3.2 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to take the stage win. Kajetan Kajetanowciz finished third fastest on the stage, 13.3 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS10, Sleeping Warrior 1
Oliver Solberg capped off the morning loop with his second stage win of the day. Solberg set a time 41.5 seconds faster than class leader Gus Greensmith. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 37.7 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS11, Soysambu 2
Oliver Solberg kicked off the afternoon loop in the same fashion as the morning loop with a stage win. As Solberg posted a time 5.5 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to go two-for-two on the Soysambu stage. Kajetan Kajetanwoicz finished third on the stage as he has the last three, this time Kajetanwoicz finished 36.9 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS12, Elmenteita 2
Gus Greensmith once again took the stage win on the second stage off the loop. Greensmith set a time 0.6 seconds faster than a charging Oliver Solberg to claim his second stage win of the day. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three on the stage yet again, 19.5 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS13, Sleeping Warrior 2
Oliver Solberg conquered the Sleeping Warrior and took home his second stage win on the stage. With Solberg setting a time 22.1 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third on the stage 41 seconds slower than Greensmith.
The second day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to an end. Gus Greensmith retained the WRC2 class lead after the day.
SS2, Loldia 1
Gus Greensmith kicked off the second day with a stage win. Greensmith posted a time 7.7 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to top the stage. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top three times on the stage, finishing 20.1 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS3, Geothermal 1
Gus Greensmith also took the stage win on the third stage of Safari Rally Kenya. The Brit set a time 10.1 seconds faster than Kajetan Kajetanowicz to top his third consecutive stage. Niclas Ciamin finished third fastest on the stage, 10.3 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz.
SS4, Kedong 1
Gus Greensmith ended the morning loop with yet another stage win. As Greensmith posted a time 59.3 seconds faster than Charles Munster to win the stage. Diego Dominquez rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 1.8 seconds slower than Munster.
SS5, Loldia 2
Oliver Solberg kicked off the afternoon loop with a stage win. As the Swede posted a time 2.6 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to take his first stage win of the weekend. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest on the stage, 12.5 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS6, Geothermal 2
Gus Greensmith was back to his winning ways on the sixth stage of Safari Rally Kenya. As the class leader set a time 5 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to win the stage. Niclas Ciamin rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 11.4 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS7, Kedong 2
Oliver Solberg capped off the second day with a stage win. Solberg set a time 13.7 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith to win his second stage of the weekend. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third on the stage, 18.2 seconds slower than Greensmith.
What To Expect From Safari Rally Kenya Day Three
The penultimate day of Safari Rally Kenya is expected to be a fun one. As drivers will contest 160.96 km across 6 stages. Gus Greensmith may head into the day three minutes and 23 seconds ahead of Kajetan Kajetanowicz, however, that doesn’t mean anything in Kenya. As the Kenyan wilderness is extraordinarily unforgiving. Tomorrow will feature the most feared stage of the event, Sleeping Warrior. This 36.08 km test will push drivers to the absolute limit. Oliver Solberg sits third overall, 14.5 seconds behind Kajetanowicz and three minutes and 37.5 seconds behind Greensmith.
The first day of Safari Rally Kenya has come to a close. Thierry Neuville and Gus Greensmith lead their classes.
Rally1 SS1, Kasanari
Championship leader Thierry Neuville kicked off the weekend with a stage win. As the Belgian posted a time 0.1 seconds faster than championship rival and teammate Ott Tänak. 2022 Safari Rally Kenya winner Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest, 0.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta was fourth fastest on the opening stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Takamoto Katsuta.
WRC2 SS1, Kasanari
Gus Greensmith kicked off his season with a stage win. As the 2023 WRC2 championship runner-up posted a time 2.8 seconds faster than championship rival Oliver Solberg. Kajetan Kajetanowicz finished third fastest, 0.3 seconds slower than Solberg. Niclas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.9 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Diego Dominquez rounded out the top five on the opening stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Ciamin.
What To Expect From Safari Rally Kenya Day Two
As expected no drivers lost massive time on the opening SuperSpecial stage. Only 2.2 seconds separate the top seven in the Rally1 class heading into the first full day of action. In the WRC2 class, there was definitely some time left behind by a few drivers. As 3.1 seconds separated first from third in the class. Day two will see drivers contest 127.58 km across six stages. Thierry Neuville will be on road sweeping duty for the second day. Elfyn Evans will follow behind Neuville. Anything can happen throughout the day’s six stages. As the Kenyan wilderness is extremely unforgiving. Weather will play a huge factor in how the day goes. If it’s dry and dusty lingering dust could hamper some drivers as the stage progresses. If it’s wet and muddy some drivers could get stuck on the stages. Anything can happen and drivers have to prepare for everything.
The Safari Rally Kenya shakedown stage has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä and Gus Greensmith top their classes.
Rally1 Shakedown
Kalle Rovanperä was in top shape on the shakedown stage. As the 2021 Safari Rally Kenya winner posted a time 0.2 seconds faster than championship leader Thierry Neuville. Rally Sweden winner Esapekka Lappi finished third, 0.1 seconds behind Neuville. Ott Tänak was fourth fastest on the shakedown stage, as the Estonian set a time 1.3 seconds slower than Lappi. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than Tänak.
WRC2 Shakedown
Gus Greensmith was the fastest in the WRC2 class on the shakedown stage. With the 2023 WRC2 championship runner-up setting a time 1.2 seconds faster than championship rival Oliver Solberg. Kajetan Kajetanowicz who won the WRC2 class at the Safari Rally Kenya finished third fastest, 3 seconds slower than Solberg. WRC2 newcomer Diego Dominguez posted the fourth fastest time on the shakedown stage, 8.6 seconds slower than Kajetanowicz. Niclas Ciamin rounded out the top five, finishing 6.5 seconds slower than Dominquez.
What To Expect From Safari Rally Kenya Day One
The opening day of the third round isn’t much to talk about. As the day features only one SuperSpecial stage. The stage totals 4.84 km in distance. Fans will also be able to see drivers go head-to-head directly on the stage. As the Safari Rally Kenya SuperSpecial stage allows for two cars to run the track at once. There likely won’t be much time gained or lost in either class tomorrow. However, anything is possible and one spin on the SuperSpecial could be the difference between first and second at the end of the event. The drivers will look to get an early advantage on SSS1. Especially Thierry Neuville who is on road sweeping duty tomorrow.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues next weekend with the third round of the season, Safari Rally Kenya.
Championship Rundown
Oliver Solberg and Yohan Rossel are tied for the WRC2 championship lead heading into round three. Both Solberg and Rossel have only contested one point scoring round, with Rossel using his first in Monte-Carlo while Solberg used his in Sweden. Solberg will use a second point-scoring round this weekend and is expected to take the championship lead. Sami Pajari and Pepe López are tied for third in the championship. With both drivers sitting 7 points behind Rossel and Solberg. Fifth in the championship follows the same trend as first and third, as once again there is a tie for the position. With Nikolay Grayzin and Georg Linnamäe sitting 3 points behind López and Pajari. Pajari, López, Gryazin and Linnamäe are not contesting the Safari Rally this weekend.
First Of The Season
Gus Greensmith and Kajetan Kajetanowicz will both be making their season debuts this weekend. Kajetanowicz is the reigning class winner at the Safari Rally. On the other hand, Greensmith hasn’t contested the event in a WRC2 car. As Greensmith only contested the legendary event behind the wheel of a Puma Rally1 back in 2022. Both drivers are expected to battle Oliver Solberg for the event win. This weekend has a chance for Solberg, Greensmith and Kajetnowicz to cash in some quality championship points early. As there isn’t much competition in the WRC2 class this weekend. That won’t make it any easier for the drivers, however. As what the event lacks in driver competition it makes up for in the difficulty of the stages. To secure top points this weekend the drivers will have to fend off the unforgiving Kenyan wilderness.
Welcome To The WRC
Alongside returning drivers making their season debut there will be a fresh face in the mix with a familiar name. As Grégoire Munster’s younger brother Charles will be making his WRC2 debut this weekend. Munster has contested many events in France, Belgium and surrounding areas in the last few years. He has yet to claim an overall win at any event, however he has taken a few class wins at events. Nevertheless, the Safari Rally will be different than anything else Charles has contested before. It will be a tough event for the youngster.
What To Expect
The Safari Rally is known for being unforgiving. As weather conditions and as a result road conditions are ever-changing. Drivers will contest 19 stages over the four-day event. The event will kick off with one SuperSpecial stage on Thursday, which totals to 4.84 km. The second day is where the action really begins. As drivers will contest 125.82 km across 6 stages. Day three will see 150.88 km of stages across another 6 stages. To cap off the third event of the season drivers will contest 74.38 km across 6 stages on the fourth day.
Earlier this week the Safari Rally Kenya entry list was released among the entrants was Gus Greensmith.
Season Debut
Gus Greensmith will make his first appearance of the 2024 World Rally Championship season at the calendar’s toughest event, Safari Rally Kenya. Greensmith is no stranger to the event. As he has previously contested the event two times at the sports top level. In 2021 Greensmith finished fourth at the event, a minute and 54.6 seconds behind Ott Tänak who finished third. The 27-year-old Brit is a favourite to win the championship this season. However, Greensmith will have to overcome multiple equally strong drivers over the course of the season. Including his teammates Oliver Solberg and Pierre-Louis Loubet. The battle for the championship is expected to be tight once again this season. As last year’s championship had 30 points separating first and third. Plus Andreas Mikkelsen has moved back up to the sports top level. Ensuring this season will see a new champion crowned.
Hunting For The Championship
Last season the WRC2 title barely got away from Greensmith. As he finished second in the championship, 23 points behind Andreas Mikkelsen. Greensmith will look to take home the championship this season. Kenya should be an easy place to grab some good points. As the only other championship competition at the event will be Oliver Solberg and last year’s class winner Kajetan Kajetanowciz. If Greensmith finishes the event he should be able to take home a podium finish. The difficult part will be finishing the event. As Kenya is known for being extremely difficult and rough on the cars. It’s a gamble but it’s a strategic gamble. Greensmith realizes there are good points on the table and he’s taking a chance at them. How this gamble will work for Greensmith will be determined after the event has finished.
Rally Sweden saw two very rare feats achieved in the WRC2 class. Find out what they were below.
WRC2 Car Top Three Overnight
Oliver Solberg achieved something that has only been seen a handful of times in the WRC. That achievement was ending a day top three overall in a Rally2 car. The last driver to do this was somebody Oliver knows very well. As well, the last driver to do so was Oliver’s father, Petter Solberg. Petter ended the first day of Rally Wales GB 2019 third overall, 1.2 seconds behind Thierry Neuville. Petter was piloting a Volkswagen Polo R5 at the event. Four years and some months later Oliver stuck his Skoda Fabia Rally2 in the top three to end a day. As Oliver ended the second day of Rally Sweden 2024 third overall, a minute and 17.5 seconds behind Takamoto Katsuta.
A Rally2 Car Wins A Stage Outright
Georg Linnamäe kicked off his WRC2 season at Rally Sweden. The Estonian decided to kick it off with a bit of a bang. As Linnamäe took home the outright stage win on SS5. Linnamäe set a time 2.4 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to top the first stage of his career. Oddly enough there is another feat accomplished by this stage win. As Linnamäe’s stage win on SS5 happened to be the first stage won by a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in the WRC2 class. The last WRC2 driver to top a stage outright was Josh McErlean on the 16th stage of Rally Portugal 2022. Sure this was a SuperSpecial stage. However, the top Rally1 car finished 13th overall, only 0.3 seconds faster than a WRC3 car. The last full stage won by a WRC2 car was the 2020 running of the Monza Rally. Where Umberto Scandola won SS11 by posting a time 12.2 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier.
The fourth and final day of Rally Sweden has come to an end. Oliver Solberg held on to claim the WRC2 class victory.
SS16, Västervik 1
Oliver Solberg kicked off the final day with a stage win. As Solberg set a time 3.9 seconds faster than Roope Korhonen to top the stage. Sami Pajari finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Korhonen. Georg Linnamäe posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.8 seconds slower than Pajari. Emil Lindholm rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.4 seconds slower than Linnamäe.
SS17, Västervik 2
Sami Pajari took home the stage win on the penultimate stage of Rally Sweden. As Pajari posted a time 0.3 seconds faster than Emil Lindholm. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Lindholm. Mikko Heikklä set the fourth fastest time on the stage, one second slower than Linnamäe. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.6 seconds slower than Heikklä.
SS18, Umeá 2
Oliver Solberg capped off his home event with a stage win. As the Swede set a time 4.7 seconds faster than Georg Linnamäe to top the stage. Roope Korhonen finished third fastest, 0.4 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Jan Solans posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Korhonen. Mikko Heikklä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than Solans.
Rally Sweden Final Classification
Oliver Solberg held onto the lead to end the event with a minute and 19.7-second lead over Sami Pajari. Georg Linnamäe finished third overall, 2.5 seconds behind Pajari. Roope Korhonen ended his first event of the season fourth overall, 21.7 seconds behind Linnamäe. Mikko Heikklä rounded out the top five overall, finishing 37.6 seconds slower than Korhonen.
The third day of Rally Sweden has come to an end. Oliver Solberg held on to his lead after the days seven stages.
SS9, Vännäs 1
Oliver Solberg kicked off the penultimate day of Rally Sweden with yet another stage win. As Solberg set a time 1.7 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to top the stage. Mikko Heikklä rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 6.1 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS10, Sarsjöliden 1
Mikko Heikklä claimed the stage win on the second stage of the day. Posting a time 1.1 seconds faster than Roope Korhonen. Oliver Solberg finished third fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Korhonen.
SS11, Bygdsiljum 1
Oliver Solberg was back to his winning ways on the final stage of the morning loop. As Solberg posted a time 2.9 seconds faster than Jan Solans to top the eleventh stage of Rally Sweden. Roope Korhonen rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 0.7 seconds slower than Solans.
SS12, Vännas 2
Sami Pajari took his first stage win of the day on the first stage of the afternoon loop. As Pajari set a time 4.7 seconds faster than Roope Korhonen to top the stage. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Korhonen.
SS13, Sarsjöliden 2
Jan Solans took his first stage win of the season on the thirteenth stage of Rally Sweden. Posting a time 0.5 seconds faster than class leader Oliver Solberg. Mikko Heikklä rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 1.2 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS14, Bygdsiljum 2
Georg Linnamäe took the stage win on the penultimate stage of the penultimate day. With Linnamäe setting a time 3.1 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to top the stage. Oliver Solberg finished third fastest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS15, Umeá 1
Oliver Solberg took home the stage win on the final stage of the third day of Rally Sweden. As the Swede set a time 11.6 seconds faster than Georg Linnamäe to top the stage. Sami Pajari rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing 5.7 seconds slower than Linnamäe.
Overall After Rally Sweden Day Three
Oliver Solberg leads his home event heading into the final day. Solberg holds a minute and 14 second lead over Sami Pajari who sits second. Georg Linnamäe sits third overall, 0.2 seconds behind Pajari. Roope Korhonen ended the day fourth overall, 19.8 seconds out of a podium position. Mikko Heikklä rounds out the top five, as Heikklä sits 16.1 seconds behind Korhonen.