Safari Rally preparations in high gear as teams get ready for reconnaissance mission
The rally has shifted its flag-off venue from KICC to City Hall Way for better public access
There is a beehive of activity in Naivasha as World Rally teams prepare recce cars for a route familiariation tour ahead of the global showpiece.
With WRC Safari Rally Kenya containers already offloaded and set up in their slotted positions at Naivasha’s Service Park, World Rally teams will spent the rest week preparing for the reconnaissance scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai Motorsports spent the better part of the day yesterday offloading containers and ensuring that their GR Yaris reconnaissance cars are in good nick well in time.
Service Park Manager Joe Muchiri confirmed the arrival of Toyota and Hyundai containers at Wildlife Research and Training Institute in Naivasha which is the traditional venue of the service park.
“All the containers for Toyota and Hyundai are already at the Service Park save for M-Sport Ford who is on their way. By Sunday every single structure will have been set up and the service fully operational,” said Muchiri.
The Service Park area at WRTI is traditionally the nerve centre of the rally and will be the venue for the Rally Headquarters, Media Centre and the designated scrutineering area.
He went on: “Between now and Monday when reconnaissance starts, all teams will be working on their recce cars, having a thorough going over to ensure that they’re set them to suit weather conditions and the set-up of new stages. ”
After the conclusion of the two-day reconnaissance schedule, crews will head to Sleeping Warrior for a 5kms Shakedown stage on Wednesday.
Thursday, the event proper begins with the Ceremonial Start at City Hall Way. The rally has shifted its flag-off venue from KICC to City Hall Way for better public access.
According to Clerk of the Course, KICC will this time round serve as the holding area for the cars. The rally culminates with the second run of Hell’s Gate speed test (10.53km) which will serve as the Power Stage on Sunday, March 23, from 14:15 onwards.
Additional championship points will be available to the fastest five crews through the stage regardless of where they actually finished in the rally. The Rally Village will be centred on Morendat Farm will be a four-day hub that will be a key feature of the 2025 Safari.
The Safari planning team has introduced two new stages at Mzabibu and Camp Moran, which are expected to spice up this year’s rally.
