Solberg and Ogier retire in Kenya!

Another dramatic turn of events in a Safari Rally that certainly isn't lacking in them! The two leaders of the rallyOliver Solberg and Sébastien Ogierwere forced to retire at the end of SS13, the first run through Sleeping Warrior. Despite Ogier setting the fastest time and Solberg finishing fifth in the timed section, both drivers had to stop their cars. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 in the liaison taking them back to the service park.

The diagnosis is clear: the mud, present in large quantities on the special stage, had seeped into the engines of both cars, causing alternator failure for both drivers. Unable to reach the service park, Solberg and Ogier are therefore out of the rally for Saturday, and they will only be able to return to the competition on Sunday to try and score points in the Super Sunday and Power Stage.

"The last special stage was really very muddy; mud got into the engine area and broke the alternator for Oliver and Sébastien."explained Juha Kankkunen, deputy director of the Toyota team. “Oliver is also having transmission problems. Elfyn has already retired, so it hasn’t been the best morning. Takamoto (Katsuta) is now in the lead, so from that point of view, it’s okay, but that’s also part of the Safari Rally, these kinds of mishaps can happen.”

It is indeed the Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta who will now take the lead in the Safari Rally, with a 1:07 advantage over Thierry Neuville et Adrien fourmaux, who both reach the podium with their Hyundai i20 Rally20. The next special stage starts at 13:05 PM, for an afternoon loop that promises to be epic…

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