Toyota Gazoo Racing endured a dramatic setback in the morning session of the third day of the Safari Rally Kenya after rally leader Oliver Solberg, defending champion Elfyn Evans and nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier were all forced out of contention following mechanical issues.
Solberg had been in commanding control since the event roared got underway on Thursday, leading the field with a cumulative time of 2:13:23.1, while Ogier sat second overall on 2:14:05.7.
With the front runners sidelined, Takamoto Katsuta now spearheads Toyota’s charge, sitting third overall on 2:14:56.7.
Thierry Neuville of Hyundai Motorsport lurks menacingly in fourth with a time of 2:16:04.2, closely followed by his teammates Adrien Fourmaux (2:16:04.9) and Esapekka Lappi (2:18:04.2) in fifth and sixth respectively. \
Toyota youngster Sami Pajari currently sits seventh overall with a time of 2:19:44.9.
Four-time world champion and Toyota team deputy principal Juha Kankkunen confirmed that Solberg, Evans and Ogier had all retired for the day following their mechanical woes.
“Oliver Solberg, Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans have retired for today. The cars will be fixed overnight and tomorrow they will be in full speed,” Kankkunen said.
Kankkunen revealed that Evans’ rally unravelled after striking a hidden rock, while both Ogier and Solberg were hit by alternator problems.
“Evans hit a big stone because he could not see and it broke the rear right wheel."
“Solberg had an alternator problem on a road section and the same for Ogier,” he explained.
“They finished the stages but could not come to the service park.”
Despite the triple blow, Kankkunen remains confident the Japanese manufacturer can still salvage valuable points heading into Super Sunday. “If we can fix the cars today, we have Super Sunday. There are five points available plus another five on the Power Stage, so we will be going for all the 10 points tomorrow,” he said.
“Our drivers will come back tomorrow and you will see speeds you have never seen before at the Safari Rally.” Kankkunen also believes Katsuta can still spearhead Toyota’s charge despite the setbacks.
“Takamoto is still leading the rally and it’s still a long way to go. Things can still happen, the Safari is not easy. It is the toughest leg in the championship.”
Earlier in the morning loop, Solberg stamped his authority at SS11 Soysambu 1, storming to the fastest time of 15:18.9. His Toyota teammate Evans followed in second with 15:22.0, while Hyundai’s Fourmaux clocked 15:33.9 to take third. At SS12 Elementaita 1, Ogier was the quickest through the stage, posting a blistering 11:16.3.
Fourmaux again featured strongly in second with 11:24.4, while Neuville completed the top three in 11:30.1.
Youngster Pajari, who had been in scintillating form on day two, claiming four stage victories, suffered a cruel twist of fate after picking up two punctures.
The mishap dropped him from third overall down to seventh with a cumulative time of 2:19:44.9. The final stage of the morning loop, SS13 Sleeping Warrior 1, once again belonged to Ogier.
The French maestro delivered a masterclass behind the wheel, clocking the fastest time of 11:32.3. Jon Armstrong of M-Sport Ford came home second in 11:48.5, while Katsuta rounded out the top three with a time of 12:01.7.
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