Summary
- One stage of the Safari Rally Kenya has been cancelled due to poor road conditions in Naivasha.
- The World Rally Championship confirmed that SS3 Camp Moran 2 was called off after heavy rains made the route impassable.
- Rally action will now resume with SS4 at Loldia later in the morning.
NAIROBI, Kenya- The World Rally Championship has cancelled one stage of Friday’s Safari Rally Kenya after heavy rains rendered parts of the route in Naivasha impassable.
Organisers confirmed that SS3 Camp Moran 2 was called off due to deteriorating road conditions following a heavy downpour that hit the area on Wednesday night.
According to the rally organisers, the roads at Camp Moran could not support competitive driving after the rain left sections muddy and unsafe for crews.
“SS3 Camp Moran 2 has been cancelled due to deteriorating road conditions. Today’s action will begin with SS4 at 09:11 (local),” the organisers said in a statement posted on the official rally platform.
Rally Action Moves to Loldia
Following the cancellation, Friday’s rally programme will now start at SS4 Loldia, scheduled to begin at 9:11am local time.
Drivers will then tackle several challenging stages across the rugged terrain of the Naivasha region.
After Loldia, crews will proceed to:
- SS5 KenGen Geothermal 1 (13.16km)
- SS6 Kedong 1 (13.79km)
- SS7 Kedong 2
The rally will later return for:
- SS8 KenGen Geothermal 2
- SS9 Loldia 2
Friday’s action will conclude with SS10 Mzabibu 2, a stage measuring 8.86 kilometres.
The Safari Rally is known for its unpredictable terrain, where weather conditions often play a major role in shaping the outcome of the competition.
Toyota Dominates Early Stages
Team Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT has already set the pace in its bid to defend the Safari Rally title, occupying the top three positions after the opening day of competition.
Swedish driver Oliver Solberg currently leads the standings with a cumulative time of 30:18.6 across the opening stages in Camp Moran and Mzabibu.
His teammate Elfyn Evans sits second with 30:51.9, while eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier is third with 31:23.7.
The early results place Toyota firmly in control of the leaderboard as the rally heads into more demanding stages.
Toyota’s Strong Safari Rally Record
Toyota’s dominance at the Safari Rally has been clear since the event returned to the World Rally Championship calendar.
Ogier won the 2021 edition, before Finland’s Kalle Rovanperä secured victory in 2022.
Ogier reclaimed the crown in 2023, while Rovanperä again triumphed in 2024.
In 2025, Evans continued Toyota’s winning streak by claiming the Safari Rally title.
With several challenging stages still ahead, drivers will now look to navigate the unpredictable terrain of Naivasha while battling for valuable championship points.
