The World Rally Championship (WRC) has commenced its 72nd edition with the shakedown of the iconic Safari Rally Kenya, marking the commencement of another exhilarating season.
This adrenaline-fueled event showcases the elite drivers, co-drivers, and cutting-edge hybrid-powered production cars conquering some of the world’s most unforgiving terrains. Established in 1973, the WRC is a global phenomenon encompassing 13 rallies across four continents and 13 countries. The championship unfolds across distinct categories, including the prestigious Drivers’, Co-Drivers’, and Manufacturers’ Championships. Alongside the main WRC battle, supporting championships like WRC2 and WRC3 provide a platform for aspiring racers to hone their skills.
As the third round of the captivating WRC season, the Safari Rally Kenya has ignited intense competition, with only three points separating the top two drivers, Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans, in the provisional standings. In the WRC2 category, Carl Tundo, piloting a Ford Fiesta, returns for another shot at the coveted title. The Safari Rally Kenya has transformed into a battleground for three formidable teams, each fielding three cars. The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team charges forward with Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, and Esapekka Lappi. The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team counters with Adrien Fourmaux, Grégoire Munster, and Jourdan Serderidis.
The reigning champion, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, boasts Elfyn Evans alongside Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanperä, the victor of the 2022 Safari. Reclaiming its iconic Easter weekend slot, the Safari Rally Kenya marks the first gravel-based round of the season, coinciding with Kenya’s rainy season. This introduces an extra layer of complexity as drivers navigate the unforgiving East African terrain. The rally consists of timed special stages conducted on closed roads, where drivers strive to complete them in the fastest time possible while adhering to their co-driver’s pace notes.
A meticulous scoring system evaluates rally participants throughout the event, with a maximum achievable score of 30. The rally route remains largely unchanged from the previous year, featuring 19 stages encompassing a total distance of 367.76 kilometres. A unique blend of familiar and new stages defines this rally, presenting a tough challenge for participants. The event unfolds according to a well-defined schedule, commencing with reconnaissance and a shakedown run before the official launch on Thursday evening.
Spanning four days, the rally culminates in the thrilling Power Stage on Sunday. Competitors regularly visit the service park for mechanical assistance throughout the day, with strict regulations governing the allotted time for these visits and penalties imposed for exceeding the designated duration. Ensuring fairness, time penalties are also implemented for late arrivals at control points, guaranteeing that all participants compete under the same stringent standards.
In the event of mechanical trouble or accidents, competitors are permitted to resume the race the following day, subject to safety considerations. However, missing stages incur time penalties, adding another layer of difficulty for teams striving for consistency in the face of these demanding conditions. The Safari Rally Kenya promises an exhilarating and intensely competitive atmosphere as drivers battle the elements and each other in their pursuit of supremacy in one of the WRC’s most challenging events.
President William Ruto will lead the official launch ceremony at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. Following the commencement, the excitement will shift to Kasarani Stadium for a display before the rally roars to life at the Service Park in Naivasha. President Ruto has extended a warm welcome to the international rally drivers, expressing his eagerness for the Easter weekend competition. He lauds Naivasha as the stunning backdrop for this prestigious event.
According to Ruto, Kenya takes immense pride in hosting the WRC Safari Rally, a motorsport spectacle that exemplifies the perfect blend of human innovation, driver endurance, and cutting-edge automotive engineering – all tested against the unforgiving Kenyan terrain. Reassuring participants of their safety, President Ruto emphasizes that the government has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure a secure and successful rally for all involved.
I can only imagine which…
I can only imagine which lies Ruto was advancing to that mhindi in that picture.