Esapekka Lappi is enjoying his first Safari rally of his career.
Esapekka Lappi drives for the first time in the Safari rally. PDO
The WC rally season continues on the Midsummer weekend with the classic, the Kenyan Safari Rally.
The drivers will start racing as usual on Thursday, but they have already gotten to know the rally sections. After the Tuesday warm-ups Dirtfish got the first comments from the rally stars about the conditions.
When meritorious drivers such as Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuvillegave some understated comments about Kenya, competing there for the first time Esapekka Lappi was like a kid in a toy store.
– It’s beautiful and really green here. This is sure to be a great adventure as I haven’t been here before. It has been an experience to see the landscapes and animals here, but also the roads. There is no such thing in Europe.
The parts of the Safari rally are mostly the same as the two previous times. Pieksämäki was asked if he had won in Kenya last time Kalle Rovanperä offered tips to a Finnish colleague. The question also hinted at whether the world champion had offered wrong instructions to the driver of the competing team.
– Not too much. We have discussed this event a little. Kalle is an honest guy and we value each other a lot. We know that we compete with shares but not outside of them. He doesn’t tell me his secrets, but he doesn’t lie either.
Rovanperä spoke about the circumstances in his own interview. He is happy to take on the role of driving Friday’s stages first.
– Rain wouldn’t be bad, especially on Friday.
Rovanperä’s wish may come true, as it has been raining in Kenya for the past week and drops of water are also predicted for the weekend.
A rally legend who traveled to Kenya Juha Kankkunen understands that Rovanperä has an advantage as the leader of the World Series. In Kenya, the first cars to get going have an advantage when the muddy roads deteriorate with use.
– That road won’t get any better. It is best to drive in Keul. You can spread dust on other people’s faces in it, Kankkunen reminded about the nature of the Safari rally a week ago.