First-time podium finisher Takamoto Katsuta fought off food poisoning at the start of Safari Rally Kenya week that almost sidelined him from the recce. That’s why I am here,” Katsuta said after the Naivasha finish. The punishing gravel stages in the Great Rift Valley held no fears for Katsuta, who became the first Japanese driver to finish on the podium of a full WRC round since the 1994 Safari. “I did not expect to finish on the podium on the Safari because this rally is very special and all the top-level guys are so experienced. He is the only driver to have finished every round this year inside the top six.

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