WRC Safari: Oserian shortened as drivers head to final loop

Drivers tackle the last loop of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari this afternoon with Oserian, the first of the day's three stages having been shortened by 3.1km. 

The opening section has been removed, reducing its total length to 14.83km. Sunday's opener was red-flagged after Oliver Solberg stopped and blocked the road.

The Swede's Hyundai ground to a halt after ingesting some fesh-fesh sand and the stage had to be canceled. 

Solberg got the car going again and drove through to the end of the stage. The remaining crews had to head to SS15, Narasha which started at 0808hrs.  

Kalle Rovanperä, who is chasing a fourth championship in the six legs held so far ended the penultimate loop of the Safari almost one minute clear of the field with three stages to go.

WRC Safari: Kalle leads Toyota quartet on final day

The Finn was faster than Elfyn Evans on both of the morning's tests that experienced dry, dusty and rough conditions with several drivers believing the Wolf Power Stage finale will be a huge challenge.  

"It is quite rough already. I just tried to avoid all the stones, but I think the Power Stage will be rough for the car and the tyres," offered Rovanperä after the morning action. 

Setting a new benchmark time of 5min 51.5sec. Ott Tänak who won the first run of Hell's Gate will be targeting some bonus points here on the Wolf Power Stage later on.

"There is an opportunity for everything. It is so rough and anything can happen," Tänak said.