Rovanperä Sets the Pace in Safari Rally Kenya Shakedown

Kalle Rovanperä led the Safari Rally Kenya shakedown, marking a possible return to form after previous season difficulties. His time of 4:34.5 set the pace for the stage, followed by Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak. Drivers have limited their communications during the rally in protest of a fine imposed on Fourmaux, reflecting tensions within the sport.

Kalle Rovanperä displayed remarkable skill during the Safari Rally Kenya shakedown, showcasing a potential resurgence in his performance after a challenging start to the season. Having not finished in the top five in the first two rounds, the two-time world champion dominated the 5.16km warm-up stage, achieving a time that was 1.6 seconds faster than second-placed Thierry Neuville.

Rovanperä’s triumph in the stage reaffirmed his expertise on the rugged Kenyan terrain, as he maneuvered his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 with agility. Neuville, in a Hyundai i20 N Rally1, improved his time during the final pass but ultimately fell short, with Ott Tänak completing the top three with his own Hyundai, trailing 1.9 seconds behind the leader.

Further down the leaderboard, Takamoto Katsuta secured fourth place, being 3.5 seconds behind his teammate, Rovanperä, while Adrien Fourmaux rounded off the top five. Amidst the competition, Neuville expressed frustrations regarding recent communications with the FIA, following a €10,000 fine imposed on Fourmaux for inappropriate remarks during Rally Sweden, which led drivers to limit post-stage comments.

Grégoire Munster positioned himself sixth in his Ford Puma Rally1, narrowly defeating championship leader Elfyn Evans. The top ten was rounded out by competitors Josh McErlean and Sami Pajari, underscoring the intense rivalry present during the competition. The times from the shakedown highlight the drivers’ preparedness and set the stage for an exhilarating rally.

In conclusion, Kalle Rovanperä’s impressive performance in the Safari Rally Kenya shakedown signifies a potential turnaround in his season, following earlier struggles. The ongoing tensions related to communication restrictions among the drivers illustrate the challenges faced in the competition. As the rally continues, the skills displayed by Rovanperä and his competitors will be crucial in determining the outcome of this prestigious event.

Original Source: www.wrc.com