WRC reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera of Team Toyota Gazoo recorded his second safari rally win as the third round of the season concluded on Sunday evening at the Hells Gate Power Stage in Naivasha.
The Finn, navigated by Jonne Halttunen, secured a comfortable lead of almost one minute after winning all of Friday’s rock-filled stages around Lake Naivasha and managed to maintain the lead on Saturday as he enjoyed a smooth run while his competitors had mechanical troubles and tire damage.
The 23-year-old amassed 20 points in the four-day safari rally despite not winning any stage on Saturday and Sunday, to be declared champion in 3:36.04,a whooping 1:37.8 minutes ahead of his teammate Takamoto Katsuta, who finished 2nd place, while Adrien FourMaux of Ford recorded a 2nd successive podium finish this year in 3rd position.
The win, marking his 12th career victory, solidified Rovanperä’s status as one of the rally’s dominant forces.
Carl Tundo, navigated by Tim Jessop, was the best-placed Kenyan driver, finishing 7th in the WRC 2 division and 16th overall.
The 71st Safari Rally, which was making a return to its traditional Easter weekend for the first time after 26 years, attracted 26 drivers who navigated through 376.1km distance over the 19 stages.
Briton Gus Greensmith emerged victorious in the WR2 division, 1:23.1 minutes ahead of 2nd placed Oliver Solsberg of Sweden finished while Kajetan Kajetoniwicz of Poland completed podium positions.
The WRC moves to Zagreb, Croatia, for a fourth round between 18th and 21st next month.
