At the 94th time of asking, Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston won their maiden World Rally Championship round, the toughest of them all, Safari Rally Kenya.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing pair took it easy across the four stages on Sunday, shedding time on every stage but knowing their cushion over Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria was sufficient to get the job done.
“I don’t know what to say. We have so many difficulties and moments. Aaron has worked very hard to work with me. The team always believed in me when I was failing all the time. Thanks to the whole team. I’m here because of them and Aaron. My family has always been a big support. Thaks to Ott Tanak he has been contacting me and sending me messages he was waking up early every morning. Akio-San, finally we are here, Thank you,” said the tearful winner.
Fourmaux claimed second overall for Hyundai World Rally Team, initially balancing applying pressure to Katsuta and preserving his result for his team, ending 27.4 seconds behind the winner.
Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen rounded out the podium after a measured drive while Esapekka Lappi did what Hyundai expected of him as he and co-driver Enni Mälkönen brought their car home in fourth place.
The battle for Super Sunday points raged between the top three Toyota Gazoo drivers who had all retired on Saturday.
Oliver Solberg won the Wolf Power Stage to seal Super Sunday, fending off Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans with Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux scooping the final points.
Robert Virves took WRC2 honours by 30 seconds – and an incredible fifth overall – ahead of Gus Greensmith and Fabrizio Zaldivar.
Read the full Safari Rally Kenya report in Motorsport Monday tomorrow.
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