Toyota driver, Takamoto Katsuta, on Sunday gave himself an early birthday gift, the Japanese overcoming rough terrain and wet weather to win the World Rally Championship Safari Rally in Naivasha.
It was the Japanese driver’s first success in the World Rally Championship, and his first in the Kenyan round of the global series. He will turn 33 tomorrow.
Katsuta, navigated by Aaron Johnston from Ireland, won by 27.4 seconds from Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, co-driven by Alexandre Coria. Toyota’s Sami Pajari was third.
The 32-year-old Katsuta, who was in his 94th WRC start, became the first Japanese driver to win in the WRC series since Kenjiro Shinozuka triumphed in Rally of Cote d’Ivoire in 1992.
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans retained the drivers’ championship lead with 66 points. Two-time Africa champion, Karan Patel, who was navigated by Tayseef Khan, finished 17th overall in a Skoda Fabia car. They are the best-placed Kenyan crew in the competition. Afterwards, Katsuta cried tears of joy as the achievement sank in.
“I don’t know what to say. We had so many difficult moments. Aaron worked very hard with me and the team always believed in me, even when I failed,” Katsuta said, holding back tears. “Thanks to the whole team. Thanks to them and Aaron, my family is always a big supporter. Finally here!” explained a smiling Katsuta amidst rivulets of tears.
Katsuta said that many things worked in his favour. He paid glowing tribute to the 2019 world champion, Ott Tänak from Estonia, for playing a big role in his success.
“He’s been there every single moment, sending me messages. He was waking up earlier than me. I did it, thanks to you! Finally, we’re here,” Katsuta said.
Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, co-driven by Alexandre Coria, were second, by some 27.4 seconds behind, as another Toyota Gazoo Racing driver, Finn Sami Pajari, navigated by his compatriot Marko Salminen, was third 3:58.7 minutes off the pace.
Katsuta put himself on the path to historic victory on the third day of action on Saturday at the notorious Sleeping Warrior stage that ended a good run by his teammates, defending champion Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg and eight-time reigning world champion Sebastien Ogier.
Katsuta found himself in the lead, 1:25.5 ahead of the final stage, with his teammates out of contention as Toyota’s 1-2-3 sweep was unfolding.
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