WRC reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera is the winner of 2024 Safari Rally that ended on Sunday. The Finn, navigated by Jonne Halttunen, was undeterred by the tough conditions in Naivasha that took out other contestants to lead the Toyota Gazoo team in a one two podium finish. He won 7 of the 19 competitive stages that were in this year’s race.
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The 23-year-old, considered the most talented all-rounder racer, won the third round of the World Rally Championship series in 1:37.8 ahead of teammate Takamoto Katsuta who came second. Takamoto was navigated by Aaron Johnstone. The third place went to Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux of Ford navigated by Alexandre Coria.
“It is so special to win this event for the second time. As Toyota, we have always been good here (in Kenya). Like they say in Africa ‘The car in front of you is always a Toyota’, we are happy,” Rovanpera told Standard Sports.
The best placed Kenyan was Carl Tundo at 16th navigated by Tim Jessop.
Toyota is currently leading in manufacturers’ championship, four point ahead of second placed Hyundai.
The WRC moves to Zagreb, Croatia, for a fourth round between 18th and 21st April.
