Eight-time FIA World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier has confirmed that he will return to defend his victory in a rally safari in Kenya next month.
Ogier, who this year is only part-time competing with Toyota, will appear for the third time at the legendary Safari rally from 23 to 26 June.
The safari has 19 special stages covering almost 365 km of competitions.
The rally returned as a round of the World Rally Championship last year after a 19-year absence. Last year, Ogier defeated Katamoto Katsutu’s home in what was one of the toughest rallies in years.
Auger fought back from seventh place after suspension problems on the opening day.
The Frenchman won an unlikely victory when longtime leader Thierry Neville hit a rock and smashed the right rear damper on his Hyundai.
Auger then knocked down teammate Katsuta in the penultimate stage and won the punishing rally by 21.8 seconds.
Toyota has confirmed that Ogier will be on display along with regulars, championship leader Kale Ravanperay, Elfin Evans and Katsuta.
So far this season Auger has played two cameo appearances, the first being in Monte Carlo, he led the rally on Sunday until the puncture gave longtime rival Sebastian Loeb the lead and victory, but Auger still finished second.
Auger’s second outing in the 2022 season in Portugal over the weekend ended in disappointment.
Two punctures forced him off the gravel road on Friday, he left the road on Saturday and later retired a second time. He restarted on Sunday and ended up in 51st place.
Auger will jump out of the car in the next round, the Italia Sardegna rally from June 2 to 5, when Esapecca Lapi will jump behind the wheel.
