Nairobi, March 28 -- There are three common denominators in the 2024 WRC Safari Rally -- terrain, rain and tyres -- which will determine the outcome of this year's race.

Toyota Gazoo Racing has been the dominant team since 2021 and world champion Kalle Rovanpera demonstrated their intentions of denying the rest top laurels once again after pipping championship leader Thierry Neuville of Hyundai by the smallest of margins at the Ndulele Conservancy Shakedown stage on Wednesday.

The terrain has never been worse following current rains and the damage left by last year's deluge.

Some sections are porous, others waterlogged and others dominated by rocks exposed after the topsoil was rained off.

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