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Safari Rally: World speed merchants start arriving in Kenya tomorrow

WRC Safari Rally Clerk of Course George Mwangi (centre), his assistant George Gathurima (right)  and James Gichuru inspecting Camp Moran, the opening stage of the rally on March 12, 2025 ahead of the FIA senior officials’ visit later this week. 

Photo credit: Peter Njenga | Nation Media Group

By  Peter Njenga

Columnist

What you need to know:

  • Ford, once the dominant force in the WRC Safari had become unbeatable in the 2000s with the late Colin McRae winning the 2002 Safari in a Ford Focus WRC.
  • Commenting on the team’s chances, he said: “Everything is possible. The priority, I think everybody knows, is keeping the car in the middle of the road and trying to avoid the biggest rocks and the softest sand. Can we make the podium? In terms of pure pace, it’s probably early for our drivers, but like I said, anything can happen and that’s what we have in our minds.

All Priority One drivers from Toyota, Ford and Hyundai start arriving in Nairobi on Friday for the 2025 WRC Safari Rally.

The iconic Safari Rally starts  on Monday with the recce followed by the Shakedown on Wednesday.

The WRC Safari Rally Service Park Manager Joel Muchiri said that the cargo planes with small container units carrying the rally cars have already landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ready to be transported to Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WTRI) Service Park.

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The cars, which are usually partially knocked down will be reassembled by the mechanics and support crew on location from today.

They will start setting up operational bases at the Service Park, Muchiri, an extension field officer said.

“Today we have a busy schedule to do a location survey at Hells Gate with experts from the WRC Promoter to enable them to set up their base there,” he said.

Hells Gate stage overlooking the high, majestic cliff has been the location of the finish of the Safari where the WRC Promoter, the commercial rights holder of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), will beam the Wolf Power Stage live on Rally.TV and to over an anticipated 150 pay or linear TV stations across the globe. GOtv will provide coverage in Africa.

The containers for the factory teams and professional outfits from Europe were hauled to Suswa via the SGR before being transported to Naivasha by road.

“It is all systems go as we look forward to ensuring a seamless operation,” said Muchiri.

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team has four drivers -- twice Safari champion Kalle Rovanpera, championship leader Elfyn Evans, Sami Pajari and crowd favourite Takamoto Katsuta. 

They will drive the same make, Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 machine.

The 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville leads the Hyundai World Rally Team three-car crew that includes 2019 world champion Ott Tanak and Adrien Fourmaux. They will pilot the Hyundai i20 Rally 1 machines.

Ford has a fairly experienced team and will hinge their chances on reliability of the Ford Puma and resilience of Grégoire Munster, Josh McErlean and Jourdan Serderidis.

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team principal Richard Millener is ready to roll the dice in the pursuit of another Safari Rally Kenya podium this month.

Looking ahead to the third round of this year’s FIA World Rally Championship, Millener admitted his British squad was as well prepared as ever for the classic African event.

“We all know what Safari's about. We know how tough it can be, right up until the final kilometre – this is definitely an event that can bite you," he told WRC.com.

“I think the whole team was really proud of the podium we achieved last year.”  Adrien Fourmaux finished third. 

Ford, once the dominant force in the WRC Safari had become unbeatable in the 2000s with the late Colin McRae winning the 2002 Safari in a Ford Focus WRC.

Commenting on the team’s chances, he said: “Everything is possible. The priority, I think everybody knows, is keeping the car in the middle of the road and trying to avoid the biggest rocks and the softest sand. Can we make the podium? In terms of pure pace, it’s probably early for our drivers, but like I said, anything can happen and that’s what we have in our minds.

“But now it’s back to business and a big focus on Safari Rally Kenya next week.”