Nairobi, Kenya – (African Boulevard News) – Thursday saw the start of the highly-anticipated Rally Kenya, and Estonian driver Ott Tanak kicked things off with an impressive stage win. The former World Rally Champion, now driving for Hyundai, edged out his main rival Sebastien Ogier to take an early lead in the competition.
Tanak, who won this event in 2015, looked confident and in control throughout the 6.05km Kasarani super special stage, recording a time of 2 minutes and 38.8 seconds. Ogier, a seven-time World Rally Champion, was just 0.6 seconds behind in his Toyota Yaris, setting the stage for an epic battle between the two drivers over the next few days.
The Rally Kenya, which returned to the World Rally Championship calendar after nearly two decades, is being held in the scenic Naivasha region. The challenging course, which includes rough terrain, tight corners, and high-speed sections, is expected to test the drivers’ skills and stamina to the limit.
Tanak, who is currently third in the World Rally Championship standings, is looking to close the gap on his main rivals Ogier and Elfyn Evans. Speaking after the stage win, he said, “It’s always good to start the rally on a positive note. The car feels good, and we had a clean run, so let’s hope we can continue like this.”
Meanwhile, Ogier, who won the last round of the championship in Portugal, was not too disappointed with his second-place finish. “It was a short stage, so I didn’t want to take too many risks. It’s a long rally, and there’s still a lot to play for,” he said.
The Rally Kenya has attracted drivers from across the world, including Kenya’s own Onkar Rai, who is competing in a Volkswagen Polo. The event is also expected to boost tourism in the area, with thousands of fans expected to visit over the weekend.
The next stage of the rally is the 11.33km Loldia stage, which takes place on Friday morning. With Tanak and Ogier both in top form, it promises to be an exciting race to the finish line. Stay tuned to AfricanBoulevard.com for the latest updates and insights from the Rally Kenya.
