Diego Domínguez and Rogelio Peñate claim their first podium of the season at the Safari Rally Kenya, finishing third in the WRC2 Challenger category.
The Safari Rally Kenya started in the best possible way for Diego Domínguez and Rogelio Peñate, who set the fastest time in WRC2 during the shakedown.
After the first two stages of the rally, the Domínguez–Peñate duo ended Thursday in first position in WRC2 Challenger and second in WRC2, also securing a stage win in SS2.
Friday started with the cancellation of the first stage due to the poor condition of the route. In SS4, at kilometer 6, Diego Domínguez and Rogelio Peñate encountered Romet Jürgenson stopped with problems, blocking the way just as they were making up time in the split sections. After several minutes stopped, they were able to continue to the finish. Even so, they completed the first Friday loop with one of the three best times in WRC2 and WRC2 Challenger.
At the start of the second Friday loop, Diego and Rogelio suffered a puncture on the front-right wheel, which cost them more than a minute and dropped them to fourth position in WRC2 and third in WRC2 Challenger.
However, in the final stage of the day the Domínguez–Peñate duo once again showed their speed by setting another fastest time in both categories, ending the day third in WRC2 Challenger and fourth in WRC2.
Saturday was an even more demanding day, marked by mud and difficult terrain conditions. Even in that scenario, and despite power issues at SS14, Domínguez and Peñate remained running among the top three in WRC2 Challenger, additionally achieving a new stage win in SS15 Elmenteita II. Their strong pace and effort allowed them to finish the second stage in podium positions in WRC2 Challenger, ready to tackle the final day.
On Sunday the good results continued, with another fastest time in SS19 Oserengoni. They completed Safari Rally Kenya in third position in WRC2 Challenger and fifth position in WRC2. With this result, Diego Domínguez and Rogelio Peñate secured their first podium of the season.
Diego Domínguez (DRIVER): “We’re very happy to reach the finish and in fifth position in WRC2. Without some of the issues we had, I think we could have been fighting for the win. In the end this is rallying and these things happen, but we showed that we have the pace to fight at the front. We won several stages, so we’re very happy to finish the first rally of the season here”.
Rogelio Peñate (CODRIVER): “We start the season with a podium. We finished Safari Rally Kenya in third position in WRC2 Challenger and fifth in WRC2. We’re very happy with the pace we showed this weekend. We achieved four stage wins and we’re confident that this year we will fight for great results”.
Teo Martín (TEAM MANAGER): “Diego and Rogelio showed a very competitive pace throughout the weekend, constantly battling among the top WRC2 drivers and achieving four stage wins that reflect their high level. Starting the season with two podiums in a rally of this caliber is a very positive result, giving us great motivation and confidence to face the upcoming championship events”.
