Takamoto Katsuta has stolen third place from Elfyn Evans, therefore putting himself on course for a third Safari Rally Kenya podium in as many years.
Katsuta started the penultimate stage of Saturday just 2.8 seconds down on the sister GR Yaris Rally1 of Evans, and kept up his strong momentum by winning the stage and beating his team-mate by 4.9s on Elmenteita.
That gives Katsuta a 2.1s advantage over Evans after SS12 of 19.
Evans said: “I’m driving clean and tidy but looks like Taka’s doing a better job at the moment, so let’s see.”
Toyota is also on course for its second consecutive 1-2-3-4 finish on the Safari, with Sébastien Ogier leading Kalle Rovanperä out front by 32s.
Those positions appear to be locked in as Rovanperä is displaying no desire to challenge Ogier for the rally win.
Dani Sordo is the highest placed Hyundai in fifth, with M-Sport pairing Ott Tänak – who reported that a rear damper had lost its oil – and Pierre-Louis Loubet in sixth and seventh.
