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Toyota is fielding four cars in Kenya as they look for another hat trick of wins this year.
Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Takamoto Katsuta expressed his excitement for the upcoming World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, a leg he considers favorable based on his previous performances.
In an interview with the WRC portal, the Japanese driver said he was determined to bounce back from his disappointment in Rally Italia, revealing his eagerness to secure another impressive result in Kenya.
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12:30 - 06.06.2023
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Since the 2023 season started, Rovanpera has finished among the top five in all the six rallies he has competed in.
"Safari Rally is a good rally for me," Katsuta shared with enthusiasm. "I like this one; good results there for the last two years. I feel like I was showing good speed in Sardinia, the pace was good from the start on Friday morning: we did a good run in the second stage and it was nice to be fastest."
Despite a promising start, Katsuta's hopes for a strong finish in Sardegna were dashed in Stage 8 when he misjudged the approach to a deep water splash.
Coming in too fast, he was forced to brake suddenly, resulting in significant damage to the car, ultimately preventing him from continuing in the race.
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17:00 - 01.06.2023
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The setback was a blow for the talented driver, who vowed to learn from the experience and make improvements for future competitions.
"It was a big disappointment, and I will try to learn from it for the future," Katsuta admitted.
Undeterred by the setback, he restarted the race on Sunday with renewed confidence and showcased his skills behind the wheel. In the Wolf Power Stage, Katsuta pushed himself to the limit, securing valuable points and ending the weekend on a positive note.
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07:05 - 20.05.2023
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The event is one of the greatest sporting contests hosted in the country and it is scheduled for Thursday, June 22 to Sunday, 25 in Nakuru County.
Reflecting on his performance, he said, "When we restarted on Sunday, I again felt very good with the car, and I tried to push in the Wolf Power Stage. We got some points from there, and it was good to finish the weekend like this."
With his sights set on the upcoming Safari Rally, Katsuta eagerly anticipates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Having demonstrated his proficiency on the Kenyan terrain in previous years, the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver is hopeful of another successful outing and aims to secure a commendable result.
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12:30 - 26.05.2023
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The highly-anticipated event is scheduled for Thursday, June 22 to Sunday, June 25 in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
"I'm looking forward to Kenya and hope we can get another good result there this year," Katsuta expressed, exuding confidence and determination to make a strong comeback.
As the Safari Rally draws near, motorsport enthusiasts around the world eagerly await Katsuta's performance.
With the lessons learned from Sardegna, the talented driver is poised to deliver an impressive showcase of skill and tenacity, leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of redemption on the challenging African tracks.
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