Tänak had been leading the rally by more than 40 seconds before the second run of the Geothermal stage. However, a mechanical issue struck his Hyundai i20 N Rally1, forcing the Estonian to nurse the car through the stage. He ended up losing well over a minute to the fastest time.
As a result of the issue, Tänak dropped from the rally lead to third place. To make matters worse, he still has to limp through the final stage of the day, the 15.10-kilometre Kedong test, with the damaged car.
Toyota driver Elfyn Evans inherited the rally lead. Tänak’s misfortune also brought Kalle Rovanperä back into the fight for victory. Rovanperä went on to set the fastest time on SS9 and now trails Evans by just 11.3 seconds. Tänak is 16.8 seconds off the lead.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville remains in fourth overall, but is now 1 minute and 30 seconds behind the leader.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta lost half a minute due to a puncture but continues in fifth place, ahead of Sami Pajari.
Seventh overall is M-Sport Ford’s Josh McErlean, whose gap to the front is already over five minutes.
One more special stage remains on Friday in Kenya. The rally concludes on Sunday.
Safari Rally Kenya standings after SS9/21:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | 1:53:17.6 |
| 2. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +11.3 |
| 3. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +16.8 |
| 4. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +1:30.5 |
| 5. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +3:29.7 |
| 6. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +4:17.9 |
| 7. | Josh McErlean | Ford | +5:19.6 |
Safari Rally Kenya, itinerary (CET):
Wednesday, 19 March 08:01 Shakedown: Sleeping Warrior SEZ (5.16 km) Thursday, 20 March 11:05 SS1: Super Special Kasarani (4.76 km) 14:43 SS2: Mzabibu 1 (8.27 km) Friday, 21 March 05:13 SS3: Camp Moran 1 (31.40 km) 06:51 SS4: Loldia 1 (19.11 km) 08:04 SS5: Kengen Geothermal 1 (13.18 km) 08:57 SS6: Kedong 1 (15.10 km) 09:52 Service (40 min) 11:30 SS7: Camp Moran 2 (31.40 km) 13:08 SS8: Loldia 2 (19.11 km) 14:21 SS9: Kengen Geothermal 2 (13.18 km) 15:14 SS10: Kedong 2 (15.10 km) Saturday, 22 March 06:35 SS11: Sleeping Warrior 1 (26.97 km) 07:35 SS12: Elmenteita 1 (17.31 km) 08:33 SS13: Soysambu 1 (28.97 km) 10:59 Service (40 min) 13:05 SS14: Sleeping Warrior 2 (26.97 km) 14:05 SS15: Elmenteita 2 (17.31 km) 15:03 SS16: Soysambu 2 (28.97 km) Sunday, 23 March 04:42 SS17: Mzabibu 2 (8.27 km) 05:53 SS18: Oserengoni 1 (18.33 km) 07:05 SS19: Hell's Gate 1 (10.53 km) 08:18 Service (15 min) 09:56 SS20: Oserengoni 2 (18.33 km) 12:15 SS21: Hell's Gate 2 (10.53 km) *Power Stage
