Rallying-Rovanpera Dominates First Leg Of Safari Rally In Toyota 1-2-3

Double world champion Kalle Rovenpera led a Toyota one-two-three after dominating the opening leg of Safari Rally Kenya on Friday.

The Finn, who’s competing solely part-time this season, received all six of the day’s levels to take a 56.9 second lead over Elfyn Evans with Takamoto Katsuta in third place.

“It has been a extremely good day for us,” stated Rovanpera of the tough gravel levels round Lake Naivasha. “I felt I may handle the tempo fairly effectively.

“I used to be fairly glad pushing exhausting when the circumstances had been good, after which particularly this afternoon caring for the automobile and the tyres within the tough locations and nonetheless we may have good occasions.”

Hyundai’s Espekka Lappi and Ott Tanak each retired, the primary with a transmission failure and the latter after breaking his automobile’s steering when he hit a rock and pitched into an earth financial institution whereas operating in second place.

Championship chief Thierry Neuville, who was quickest in Thursday’s quick opening stage, dropped to fourth place in his Hyundai after struggling tyre injury within the morning however coming again strongly within the afternoon.

“I attempted to push as a lot as I may however it was a difficult day. Clearly the puncture made us lose lots of time,” stated the Belgian.

M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux was in fifth place with crew mate Gregoire Munster sixth.

Saturday, the longest day of the rally, options one other six levels and a complete aggressive distance of 160.96km, with rain forecast.

“If some massive rain comes we all know that the gaps may be large and you may lose lots of time,” stated Rovanpera. “So we’ll simply attempt to carry on working the identical approach as we did at this time.”

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)