Katsuta loses fifth after dramatic final-stage Safari Rally roll

A dramatic final-stage roll has compelled Takamoto Katsuta to retire from fifth place at Safari Rally Kenya after failing to succeed in the ultimate time management.

Katsuta gave the impression to be heading in the right direction to complete a extremely commendable fourth in Kenya earlier than drama struck on the twenty first and last stage of the occasion.

Pushing for Tremendous Sunday factors, the Japanese driver misplaced management of his Toyota GR Yaris which then pitched right into a roll with the automobile coming to a relaxation on its roof early within the 10.53km Hells Gate Energy Stage.

Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston have been in a position to roll the automobile again onto its wheels and started to proceed by way of the stage. As they reached the ultimate splits, the automobile started to lose energy earlier than crawling throughout the end line.

The incident price the pair three minutes, dropping them down a place to fifth behind Toyota team-mate Sami Pajari.

“I don’t know what’s occurred. I’m simply sorry for the group, nothing else,” mentioned a visibly upset Katsuta on the stage finish.

Nonetheless, the injury sustained to the automobile meant Katsuta was unable to drive again to the service park and attain the ultimate time management, which is required by the foundations to safe the end.

“It was very surprising and I don’t know precisely what occurred, however I needed to push and I used to be pushing. This factor can occur, and I really feel very sorry for the group,” he mentioned after the end.

“The tempo was good and it was a robust efficiency, however on the finish I’m very pissed off and never proud of myself.”   

The retirement means Katsuta loses the ten factors on supply for ending fifth below the new-for-2025 factors system.

It comes as a bitter blow after an eventful weekend that witnessed Katsuta battle by way of a bout of meals poisoning and a sequence of punctures, the latter stopping him from beginning the ultimate day in third place.

Katsuta’s exit means M-Sport-Ford’s Gregoire Munster has now inherited fifth, equalling his profession finest lead to WRC. Munster was additionally emotional on the end after revealing his grandfather had handed away firstly of the rally.

WRC2 winner Gus Greensmith completed sixth forward of fellow WRC2 rival Jan Solans, whereas Jourdan Serderidis, Fabrizio Zaldivar and M-Sport rookie Josh McErlean accomplished the points-paying positions. 

Photographs Rally Kenya Day 4