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.
The second day of Rally Sweden has come to an end. Oliver Solberg retained his lead after the second day of the event.
SS2, #42 Brattby 1
Oliver Solberg kicked off the second day with a stage win. Posting a time 2.1 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to top the stage. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Pajari. Emil Lindholm set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.7 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Lauri Joona rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.8 seconds slower than Lindholm.
SS3, Norrby 1
Oliver Solberg also took home the stage win on the third stage of Rally Sweden. As Solberg set a time 0.8 Georg Linnamäe. Roope Korhonen finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Sami Pajari posted the fourth fastest time, 3.6 seconds slower than Korhonen. Mikko Heikklä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Korhonen.
SS4, Floda 1
Oliver Solberg claimed the stage win on the fourth stage to sweep the morning loop. Solberg posted a time 8.8 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to top the stage. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Pajari. Roope Korhonen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.4 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Mikko Heikklä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing one second slower than Korhonen.
SS5, #42 Brattby 2
Georg Linnamäe took home the stage win on the fifth stage of Rally Sweden. Linnamäe set a time 2.4 seconds faster than Oliver Solberg to claim the stage victory. Mikko Heikklä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Solberg. Lauri Joona posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Heikklä. Fabrizio Zaldivar rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.5 seconds slower than Joona.
SS6, Norrby 2
Georg Linnamäe also took the stage win on the second stage of the afternoon. Posting a time 5.2 Fabrizio Zaldivar to win his second stage of the weekend. Roope Korhonen finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Zaldivar. Oliver Solberg set the fourth fastest time on the stage. 0.5 seconds slower than Korhonen. Sami Pajari and Lauri Joona tied for fifth fastest on the stage. With both drivers finishing 1.9 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS7, Floda 2
Oliver Solberg was back to his winning ways on the penultimate stage of Rally Sweden day two. As Solberg set a time 6.1 seconds faster than Mikko Heikklä. Sami Pajari finished third fastest on the stage, 2.5 slower than Heikklä. Roope Korhonen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Heikklä. Georg Linnamäe rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.7 seconds slower than Korhonen.
SS8, Umeá Sprint 2
Oliver Solberg capped off the day with a stage win. Posting a time 3.9 seconds faster than Georg Linnamäe to top the final stage of the day. Emil Lindholm finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Roope Korhonen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.2 seconds slower than Lindholm. Hikaru Kogure rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Korhonen.
Overall After Rally Sweden Day Two
Oliver Solberg held onto his event lead after the first full day of stages. Solberg now holds a 29.4-second lead over Georg Linnamäe heading into the penultimate day. Sami Pajari sits third overall, 15.7 seconds behind Linnamäe. Roope Korhonen ended the day in fourth, 2.8 seconds slower than Pajari. Mikko Heikklä rounds out the top five in class at the end of the day. Sitting 10.4 seconds behind Korhonen.
The first day of Rally Sweden has come to an end. Oliver Solberg leads the WRC2 class after the days lone stage.
Rally Sweden Shakedown
Oliver Solberg topped the shakedown stage, posting a time 0.6 seconds faster than Georg Linnamäe. Mikko Heikklä finished third fastest, 2.6 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Swede Isak Reiersen set the fourth fastest time, 0.1 seconds slower than Heikklä. 2022 WRC2 champion Emil Lindholm rounded out the top five on the shakedown stage, finishing 0.1 seconds behind Reiersen.
SSS1, Umeá Sprint 1
2023 Rally Sweden WRC2 class winner Oliver Solberg kicked off his home event with a stage win. Setting a time 3 seconds faster than WRC3 champion Roope Korhonen. Sami Pajari and Fabrizio Zaldivar tied for third fastest on the opening stage. With both drivers finishing 1.1 seconds slower than Korhonen. Georg Linnamäe posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Pajari and Zaldivar. Emil Lindholm rounded out the top five times on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Linnamäe.
Rally Sweden Day Two Breakdown
The second day of Rally Sweden will see drivers contest 107.9 km across 7 special stages. The WRC2 drivers should have some of the best conditions on the road. Especially the ones first on the road. As this year the snow and ice isn’t as good as normal. Making conditions less than desirable. However, by the time the WRC2 cars start to run, they should have some pretty good roads. Nikolay Gryazin is first on the road. Jan Solans is the second driver on the road, while Oliver Solberg is third on the road. These should all be optional positions for road conditions. However, rally is anything but predictable. Meaning all the WRC2 drivers could have bad conditions. It all depends on how hard the Rally1 drivers attack the stages.
The second round of the 2024 World Rally Championship takes place this weekend with Rally Sweden. Find out more below.
Championship Rundown
Yohan Rossel leads the WRC2 championship heading into Rally Sweden once again this season. As Rossel holds a seven-point lead over Pepe López. Both Rossel and López will not be contesting this weekend’s event. Nikolay Gryazin sits third in the championship, three points behind López and 10 behind Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin, who also won’t be attending this weekend, sits three points behind Gryazin. Stephan Lefebvre rounds out the top five in the championship sitting two points behind Ciamin. Lefebvre also won’t be attending the event this weekend.
A Stacked Entry List
Rally Sweden is the first true stacked entry list for WRC2 of 2024. As Rallye Monte-Carlo had an underwhelming amount of stars contesting for points. This time around both Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari will score points for the first time this season. After both contested Rallye Monte-Carlo but not for points. Emil Lindholm, Mikko Heikklä, William Creighton, Lauri Joona, Roope Korhonen and Gorg Linnamäe will make their season debuts. Heikklä has already won a snow event this season. Winning the Arctic Rally Lapland in Finland behind the wheel of his new Toyota Yaris GR Rally2 in preparation for Rally Sweden. Reigning WRC3 champion Roope Korhonen and Gorg Linnamäe will both also drive a Yaris Rally2. Lindholm will drive a Hyundai i20 Rally2 run by CHL Auto. While Joona will drive a Skoda Fabia.
Rally Sweden Event Rundown
Over the course of the four-day event drivers will contest 300.1 km across 18 stages. Day one will see drivers contest the events shakedown and a SuperSpecial stage to kick off the event. The second day of Rally Sweden will have drivers contest 107.9 km across seven stages. The third and longest day of the event will see drivers contest 125.96 km across seven stages. The fourth and final day of Rally Sweden sees drivers contest 61.08 km across three stages.
The fourth and final day of Rallye Monte-Carlo has come to an end. Yohan Rossel took the lead to win the event.
SS15, La Bréole – Selonnet 3
Yohan Rossel and Pepe López kicked off the final day by tying for a stage win. As both López and Rossel set a time 3.9 seconds faster than Nikolay Gryazin to top the stage. Nicolas Ciamin set the third fastest time, 18 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre posted the fourth fastest time on the opening stage. Posting a time 1.5 seconds slower than Ciamin. Jan Solans rounded out the top five times on the stage, finishing 17.8 seconds slower than Lefebvre.
SS16, Digne-les-Bains – Chaudon-Norante
Yohan Rossel topped the penultimate stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo. Posting a time 5.8 seconds faster than Pepe López to take his second consecutive stage win. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than López. Nicolas Ciamin set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 22.8 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.3 seconds slower than Ciamin.
SS17, La Bollène-Vésubie – Col De Turini
Yohan Rossel also took home the stage win on the final stage of the event. Setting a time 4.8 seconds faster than Pepe López to clinch the rally win. Nikolay Gryazin finished third fastest on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than López. Nicolas Ciamin posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.9 seconds slower than Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3.1 seconds slower than Ciamin.
Final Rallye Monte-Carlo Overall
Yohan Rossel ended the event with a 4-second lead over standout Pepe López. Nikolay Gryazin finished third overall, 11.4 seconds behind López and 15.4 seconds behind teammate Yohan Rossel. Nicolas Ciamin ended the event three minutes and 58.9 seconds behind Gryazin. Stephane Lefebvre rounded out the WRC2 top five, finishing the event a minute and 44.2 seconds behind Ciamin.