Safari Rally: Japan's Katsuta wins it as Fourmaux, Pajari seal other podium places
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Reading Time: 1min | Sun. 15.03.26. | 18:10
After three rallies, Evans leads the drivers standings on 66 points with Solberg second on 58 and Katsuta third on 55
Takamoto Katsuta won his first-ever World Rally Championship race on Sunday, emerging from the Kenya Safari mud-fest as the first Japanese winner in over three decades.
Katsuta became the first Japanese driver to win a WRC round since Kenjiro Shinozuka triumphed at the Ivory Coast Rally in 1992.
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The Safari Rally Kenya became a gruelling race in mud and rain, which decimated the favourites on Saturday when Toyota trio Oliver Solberg, Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans all staggered away eliminated.
Katsuta was swift to thank his co-pilot Aaron Johnston for his ever-faithful service
"I don't know what to say," said an emotional Katsuta.
"We have had 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. I'm here because of them and Aaron."
Katsuta finished just 27 seconds ahead of the Hyundai i20 driven by Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux, while Finland's Sami Pajari came third, also in a Toyota.
After three rallies, Evans leads the drivers standings on 66 points with Solberg second on 58 and Katsuta third on 55.
The championship now moves away from the mud and onto asphalt next month with the return of the Croatia Rally along the Adriatic coast from 9-12 April.
By AFP