The 5th edition of the WRC Safari Rally since its reinstatement in the global championship calendar will be held in Naivasha from 20th to 23rd next month.
The Kenyan rally will serve as a leg of the African rally championship and, for local drivers, the Kenya National rally championship.
The Safari Rally was reinstated to the WRC calendar in 2021 after a 19-year hiatus.
This year’s competition organisers have made various adjustments to make it more enjoyable and competitive.
Among the expected changes are an increased number of autograph points and the introduction of a Rally Village at Naivasha’s Leleshwa Area in Morendat Farm to accommodate tens of thousands expected to attend.
In previous editions, the majority of the spectator points were not well communicated to spectators, resulting in confusion.
The increased number of autograph points for spectators will ensure fans get closer with the drivers during competition.
Spectators will also be allowed to get closer to the prize-giving area in Hell’s Gate, unlike in the previous editions, but measures will be put in place to protect the heritage.
In contrast to the previous year’s event, when the rally cars were flagged off at KICC, this year’s event will have the flag-off on the road at City Hall Way, allowing spectators to queue to see their favourite drivers.
There will be ten locations for spectators to watch, including the Kasarani Super Special Stage, the City Hall, two locations within the Shakedown Area at Sleeping Warrior’s Special Export Zone, Kedong Start and Finish, KenGen Geothermal, and Camp Moran, which will have three spectator zones.
Other areas for spectators include two at Soysambu and additional areas at Hell’s Gate, Leleshwa, and Elementaita.
Unlike the previous four editions, the Kasarani Super Special stage, the only one where rally vehicles battle head-to-head, will now run in reverse order.
Finish,Kalle Rovanperä, navigated by Halttunen Jonne from Toyota, won last year’s edition held during the Easter weekend.
