WRC Safari Rally: Estonian Tanak puts Hyundai on driving seat on Day 1

Hyundai speed master Ott Tanak clocked 9:52.3 to take a 2.4-second lead on Day 1 of the 2025 World Rally Safari Rally, the Safari Rally, in Naivasha.

The 2019 champion was followed by last year's runners-up Takamoto Katsuta of Toyota in 9:54.7 as Ford Puma Rally 1 lead driver Gregoire Munster ended the day third in 9:54.9.

Double world winner and Safari defending winner Kalle Rovanpera had a rough start as he finished a distant fourth, even though he is optimistic to bounce back in the showpiece that cruise till Sunday on the rough terrains of Naivasha.

Also reigning world champion Thierry Neuville continued with his hard challenge on Kenyan soil as he ended the day a distant eighth.

President William Ruto flagged off the cars at the City Hallway in Nairobi before the speedsters headed to the opening 4.84km Kasarani Super Special Stage (KSSS) which was won by Elfyn Evans of Toyota in 3:09.0 as Tanak finished the circuit, driven in reverse direction compared to the other four precious editions, fourth.

However, the Estonian speed merchant rose to the occasion on the second 8.3km Mzabibu stage, located along the Nairobi -Naivasha- Nakuru highway, to carry the day. The Day 1 lead by Tanak now gives his Hyundai outfit hope that they at least have a chance to lift the Safari title in their fifth attempt.

On Friday ( today) the drivers will tackle four stages including Camp Moran (32.2km), Loldia (19.11km), Geothermal (10.14km) and Kedong (15km) before repeating the loop in the afternoon.

Meanwhile hundreds of motorsports fans thronged the Safari Centre in Naivasha to have a meet and greet session with the word beaters on Thursday where the fans autographs were also signed by the drivers.

The priceless period was held after the speedsters completed the KSSS before they headed to Mzabibu.

The spectators and rally enthusiasts jostled at the newly launched mall to meet with their role models, with some fans offering souvenirs of their favourite icons.

"It's a momentous occasion for me, I have been a rally fan ever since I was a toddler, and today I have brought my two sons (Yvette and Jerry) to greet their role models," Mark Makomeri from Naivasha stated.

Makomeri was all joy as he watched Rovanpera sign an autograph for Yvette, 8, as Tanak did the same for Jerry, 7.

"I had promised the boys that I would make sure they meet their icons, so I had to 'snatch' them from school so they come and grace this 'auspicious' juncture. I feel this is the best gift I can give to the children who I'm prepping to be world beaters in the sport in the future," Makomeri stated.

Samantha Wango, also from Naivasha, was elated to represent her younger brother William who was stuck in school.

"He (William) badly needed this shirt to be signed, so I'm standing in the 'gap' for him here. Personally, I don't know much about rallying so I'm just here to represent my brother and I know he will be all smile when he sees this," Wango highlighted.

Steve Mwangi travelled all the way from Nakuru to have the flag of his newly opened nightclub and entertainment joint penned by the drivers.

"This really means a lot to me and the new investment that I'm making. I also came here for the vibes. I'm happy that I'm having mad fans since I attended the Wednesday shakedown in Sleeping Warrior. I'm really enjoying my stay in Naivasha," Mwangi emphasized.

Thrilled by the boisterous Kenyan spectators, world champion Thierry Neuville said he can't wait to sign more autographs to his ever-growing fan base in Africa since he bagged the world title last year.

"Their love and passion humbles me, I'm now more than inspired to go for the Safari Rally title, so I hope to do better in the rally in the remaining days," Neuville stated.

Rovanpera told the fans that the secret to his winning ways in the Safari has been luck, a strong machine from his sponsors Toyota and a formidable team lineup from his Japanese constructors.