Kajto in the WRC2 box seat as Kenya rival Munster retires

The Škoda Fabia Rally2 driver, fighting back from a Friday morning tyre delamination, won all three of the morning’s rugged speed tests to leapfrog overnight leader Munster before service.

Munster responded early in the afternoon by reclaiming the top spot with a benchmark time through Soysambu 2 but heartbreak was to come for the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 pilot as he retired after the stage with mechanical failure.

His exit not only elevated Kajetanowicz to first but also gave the Polish driver significant room to breathe. He starts Sunday’s finale over 10 minutes clear of second-placed Fiesta man Martin Prokop.

“There is still a long way to go," Kajetanowicz admitted. "I need to say one more time that I am sorry for Grégoire. He was very quick. It was a good day for us but it’s not the end, a lot of things can still happen.”

Local star Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo is on course to achieve his goal of a top-three result on home soil. Although the Fabia debutant does not pose any real threat to Prokop, he sits comfortably clear of Armin Kremer, who also tops the WRC Masters Cup standings in a similar car.