TOKYO, Apr 1, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has actually won the famous Safari Rally Kenya for the 4th year in a row, with Kalle Rovanperä leading Takamoto Katsuta in a one-two surface on the requiring African occasion.
The group continues its unbeaten operate on the most difficult round of the FIA World Rally Championship because its go back to the calendar in 2021, while likewise extending the all-time Safari record set by Toyota to 12 success.
The outcome again shows the strength and dependability of the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID, which for this occasion included an upgraded suspension plan in addition to an unique snorkel system: a modern-day take on a renowned function of Safari-specification vehicles of the past.
It is the 2nd time that Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen have actually won the occasion after their 2022 success. Their success was constructed on a sensational efficiency on the very first complete day of the rally on Friday, where they were fastest in all 6 phases to open a lead of practically one minute. This allowed Rovanperä to take care where needed on the longest and most difficult day on Saturday– where he still won the rally’s longest phase by almost 25s as the majority of his rivals struck problem.
With his lead up above 2 minutes, Rovanperä might take a safety-first method through much of the last day’s 6 phases and 74.38 competitive kilometres, eventually sealing triumph by 1m37.8 s.
Katsuta accomplished his 3rd podium arise from 4 starts in Kenya, duplicating his second-place surface from 2021. He and co-driver Aaron Johnston drove a well-measured rally, with 2 phase wins on Saturday assisting them get rid of a double leak that had actually cost them over a minute.
Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin made sure that all 3 Toyotas completed inside the leading 4. They ran as high as 2nd before sustaining leaks on 3 different events through Saturday’s rough and rocky phases. That left the podium puts out of their reach, however they still offered their all to score as numerous points as possible on Sunday, where they were third-fastest over the day and 5th in the Power Stage.
With its one-two surface, TGR-WRT took the optimal producers’ points from the general category plus an additional 11 perk points on Sunday and moves into a four-point lead in the champion. Evans took an overall of 16 points from his weekend to keep him 2nd in the chauffeurs’ standings, 6 from the lead.
Quotes:
Akio Toyoda (TGR-WRT Chairman)
“For all the staff member, congratulations on the very first triumph this season and on winning Safari Rally Kenya for the 4th year in a row! Kalle, Jonne, congratulations on another success in Kenya after 2 years, and thank you for the creative driving and going through those rough roadways without trouble.Takamoto and Aaron, congratulations on going back to the podium in Kenya likewise after 2 years!
