Safari rally: SS16 ‘Sleeping Warrior’ cancelled after torrential rain

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The final stage of Day Three of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, SS16 Sleeping Warrior, has been cancelled after deteriorating conditions rendered the route impassable.

This is the second stage to be scrapped in the 2026 edition, following the earlier cancellation of SS3 Camp Moran on Friday morning.

In a statement, WRC officials confirmed that conditions at the Sleeping Warrior stage worsened significantly after heavy rainfall.‎

‎“Following heavy afternoon rain, conditions on SS16 ‘Sleeping Warrior’ deteriorated significantly, with deep, water-filled ruts developing along the stage route,” the statement read.‎

‎“Upon arrival at the stage, the safety caravan assessed the conditions and concluded that the route between kilometres 2.5 and 11 was too challenging for rescue vehicles to operate safely. As a result, the stage was cancelled,” the statement added.‎

‎Before the cancellation, the afternoon loop of Day Three had delivered intense action across the punishing Naivasha terrain.‎

‎SS14 Soysambu 2 saw Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux set the benchmark pace, stopping the clock at 15:12.8 to edge out Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta (15:13.5) and Esapekka Lappi (15:28.3).‎

‎Youngster Sami Pajari then bounced back to winning ways on SS15 Elementaita 2, blasting through the stage in 10:45.3. Katsuta followed in second with 10:50.0 while Fourmaux completed the top three in 11:08.0.‎

‎The rally now heads into the decisive Super Sunday showdown, where drivers will tackle SS17 Oserengoni 1, SS18 Hell’s Gate 1, return to Oserengoni for the repeat run, before the event reaches its climax at Hell’s Gate for the all-important Wolf Power Stage.‎

‎Katsuta heads into the final day firmly in control of the leaderboard with a commanding cumulative time of 2:41:00.2, holding a 1 minute 25 second advantage over Fourmaux, who sits second on 2:42:25.7.‎

‎Pajari completes the provisional podium positions with a cumulative time of 2:46:29.3.