Kenyan rally sensation McRae finishes fourth at Rally Estonia

Young Kenyan driver McRae Kimathi at the WRC Safari Rally Kasarani headquarters on June 17, 2022. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Kenyan FIA Rally Star driver McRae Kimathi finished fourth as curtains came down on Rally Estonia in the World Rally Championship (WRC) 3.

Despite missing out on a podium, finishing in fourth place puts him in third place on the overall standings in the series ahead of the final round of the junior series.

The final series will be held at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece set for 8 to 11 September.

Meanwhile, WRC3 defending champion Sami Pajari extended his championship lead by taking his third victory of the season. 

The 20-year-old moved to the top of the leaderboard when Lauri Joona picked up a puncture on Friday morning and led the all-Ford Fiesta Rally3 field all the way to the finish.

Pajari ended the penultimate day over a minute clear despite nursing a rear differential issue during the afternoon.

He then more than doubled that advantage on Sunday as Joona backed off in wet conditions.

Championship debutant Roope Korhonen completed the leaderboard.