Rallying – Neuville Takes Early Lead In Kenya Safari Rally Achi-News

NAIROBI: Hyundai world championship leader Thierry Neuville took an early lead in the Kenya Safari Rally on Thursday after winning the opening 4.84km Kasarani stage near Nairobi.

The real rally starts on Friday, with six stages around Lake Naivasha north-west of the capital, which Neuville will enter leading his Estonian team-mate Ott Tanak from 0.1 second.

Toyota’s reigning double world champion Kalle Rovanpera was third and 0.8 off the pace after the stage which included side-by-side qualifying.

The Finn is making his second start of what will only be a part-time season for him.

“This event is always a compromise between trying to be fast and keeping it safe, but I think we’re in a good place,” he said.

Neuville leads Toyota’s Elfyn Evans by three points in the championship but has failed to finish in Kenya in two of his three previous attempts.

“Our fingers are crossed that, this time, we can go through without any technical problems or mistakes,” he said. “I think we’ve prepared well, and I feel good in the car, so it’s always good to start a rally like this.”

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Reuters)