NAIROBI - Former world champion Ott Tanak grabbed the early lead after sweeping to victory on the opening stage of the 70th Safari Rally in Kenya.
The 4.84km super special on the outskirts of Nairobi saw 2019 world champion Tanak take his M-Sport Ford to a paper-thin 0.1sec advantage over Toyota's Sebastien Ogier.
"Safari Rally Kenya is a demanding one. Let's see after Saturday. I would say this day will tell us a lot," said Tanak.
Behind eight-time world champion Ogier on Thursday was Toyota teammate Kalle Rovanpera who won in Kenya last year on his way to capturing the world title.
Winner last time out in Sardinia, Thierry Neuville, was the best of the Hyundai drivers, completing the stage fourth overall.
Elfyn Evans, in another Toyota, rounded out the top five.