Takamoto Katsuta has stolen fourth place of Safari Rally Kenya from an unwell Thierry Neuville who punctured, as Elfyn Evans doubled his lead over Kalle Rovanperä.
The famous Sleeping Warrior stage kicked off Saturday’s action, and the rain has arrived – creating an incredibly muddy and difficult stage to open the day.
One driver not taking part however is Adrien Fourmaux – his Hyundai team choosing not to send him out today, instead sparing the car for a Super Sunday push.
His team-mate Neuville perhaps wish he hadn’t either – his day complicated as early as last night as both he and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe were unwell and struggled to sleep.
He then was forced to stop to change a front-left puncture, costing him two minutes and fourth place to Katsuta, who is now 11.1 seconds ahead overall.
Out front, Evans started the day just 7.7s clear of his team-mate Rovanperä but ended SS11 15.9s clear after a strong 8.2s stage win.
Ott Tänak remains third, but it’s a lonely third with a 1m19.9s deficit to Rovanperä and 2m25.1s advantage over Katsuta.
Elsewhere, Josh McErlean has lost his seventh place after stopping late on the stage with a broken steering arm. But the M-Sport crew had the part in the car, so managed to replace it and continue in the event, albeit losing almost half an hour.
Gus Greensmith has also taken the lead of WRC2 as overnight leader Kajetan Kajetanowicz stopped on the stage.
