Tough clashes on the cards as stage set for Safari Rally Kenya

NAIROBI: This week’s Safari Rally Kenya (March 28 – 31) promises to deliver one of the most arduous tests since its triumphant return to the FIA World Rally Championship calendar three years ago.

Ater a six-week break since navigating the sub-zero forests of Sweden, drivers and teams now face a completely different challenge as round three of the season begins on Thursday amidst the captivating plains and vibrant wildlife of Africa.

This year’s Safari Rally has been strategically moved forward in the calendar to reclaim its historic March slot, aligning perfectly with Kenya’s rainy season. Pre-rally downpours muddied some of the roads during recce, and many of the cars are running snorkels – which allow the engine to breathe - to deal with potentially flooded sections.

In Kenya, all eyes are on Toyota Gazoo Racing. The GR Yaris Rally1 team has won every edition since 2021, and even claimed a sensational top-four sweep here 12 months ago. Despite its formidable track record, however, Toyota is still searching for its first triumph of the season.

Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera will each hope to change that. Rovanpera topped the podium in 2022, while Katsuta – who hails from Japan – has neted an impressive two podiums from three Safari starts.

Hyundai Motorsport stands ready to challenge Toyota’s African supremacy, and to extend its success streak with i20 N drivers Thierry Neuville, Ot Tänak and Esapekka Lappi. Rallye Monte-carlo winner Neuville currently leads the drivers’ championship by three points from Evans, while a hungry Lappi recorded his second career victory last time out in Sweden.

M-sport Ford enters Kenya on a high ater young Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux scored his maiden podium at the previous round. The British team fields a trio of Puma Rally1 cars for Fourmaux, Gregoire Munster and gentleman driver Jourdan Serderidis.

The rally starts in capital city Nairobi on Thursday lunchtime. Ahead lie 19 gruelling special stages around Lakes Naivasha and Elmenteita covering 367.76km before Sunday aternoon’s finish in Naivasha.

Meanwhile, Ot Tanak is hoping Rally Kenya will help get his challenge for this year’s World Rally Championship back on track.

Hyundai’s Estonian star has misfired through the first two rounds of the series - going off the road on both Rallye Monte-carlo and Rally Sweden has let him fith in the standings and 27 points down on his team-mate and points leader Thierry Neuville.