Stage 3 of Safari Rally cancelled due to deteriorating conditions

Day Two of the Safari Rally Kenya has suffered an early disruption after Stage 3 (SS3 Camp Moran 2) was officially cancelled due to deteriorating road conditions.

According to a letter signed by Clerk of the Course George Mwangi, the decision was taken on safety grounds following damage to the stage surface after heavy use and worsening conditions.

With Camp Moran 2 dropped from the itinerary, rally cars will now proceed directly through a liaison section towards Gilgil and Eburru, emerging near Malewa while avoiding the busy Nairobi–Naivasha–Nakuru Highway.

The rally action will now resume with Stage 4 (SS4 Loldia 1), the longest stage of the rally at 25.60km, scheduled to start at 09:11hrs.

Crews will then tackle Stage 5 (SS5 Kengen Geothermal 1) which is 13.20km around the geothermal fields before heading to Stage 6 (SS6 Kedong 1 - 13.17km) starting at 11:17hrs.

After the morning loop, competitors will regroup at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute in Naivasha before repeating the stages in reverse order later in the day.

The cancellation trims the day’s competitive distance, which had initially been scheduled at 136.55km.

Meanwhile, rally leader Oliver Solberg will be aiming to extend Toyota Gazoo Racing’s advantage, while defending champion Elfyn Evans looks to close the gap as the battle for Safari Rally supremacy intensifies in Naivasha.