Winner of the event in 2022, Kalle Rovanperä showed himself at ease from the first laps of the wheel in Kenya. The double world champion, who is only competing in a partial program this year, set the best time of the shakedown in his Toyota Yaris GR in 3’32”1. A performance which was matched by the leader of the Championship, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 N) during the third appearance of the Belgian who did not do better than 5th in three participations in the Safari Rally.
Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai i20 N) completed the podium in this warm-up, three tenths behind the leaders. The Finn is ahead of Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris GR, +1”). Ott Tanäk, 5th (+1”6), took the opportunity to offer a little immersion to his boss Cyril Abiteboul, installed in the co-pilot’s seat for the third of the Estonian’s four passes.
As for Adrien Fourmaux, currently third in the Championship after his nice podium in Sweden, he set the 6th time in his Ford Puma (+3”7). This is his third participation in the event at the wheel of a cutting-edge car. The rally will begin on Thursday with a simple super-special to be contested before the serious things begin on Friday, in potentially rainy conditions which could greatly complicate the crews’ task.
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