TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Prepares for Landmark 100th Safari Rally Kenya

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing celebrates its 100th World Rally Championship event at the Safari Rally Kenya from March 20-23. The team aims to defend its unbeaten record and continues its strong performance in the season. Key drivers Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, and Kalle Rovanperä lead the team’s efforts against unique challenges posed by the rally’s terrain. The GR Yaris Rally2 will debut in the event, enhancing competition in the WRC2 category.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is set to participate in its milestone 100th event, the Safari Rally Kenya, from March 20-23. The team has had a remarkable start to the season, achieving a one-two finish at the Monte Carlo and Sweden rallies, marking an impressive defense of its manufacturers’ championship title. This performance establishes the best commencement of a World Rally Championship (WRC) season by a manufacturer in contemporary history.

Elfyn Evans, leading the driver standings, will be competing in the only African round of the championship following his victory in Sweden. He is accompanied by Takamoto Katsuta, who has historically performed well in Kenya, and Kalle Rovanperä, a strong contender with prior wins on the Safari. Sami Pajari will make his debut at this event with the TGR-WRT2 entry.

The TGR-WRT has successfully won all four editions since the rally’s return in 2021, contributing to Toyota’s impressive 12 victories in the event’s history. This rally also commemorates 40 years since Juha Kankkunen’s first WRC win. He will be guiding the team on-site in his new role as Deputy Team Principal during this competition.

Participants of the Safari Rally face unique challenges, including rocky terrain and soft sandy sections. Rain can transform the dry tracks into muddy paths, requiring teams to equip vehicles with snorkels to navigate waterlogged areas. This year’s route, extending to 384.86 competitive kilometers, signifies the longest WRC round in several years, commencing in Nairobi on Thursday and featuring new stages designed for added excitement.

The GR Yaris Rally2 will debut in Africa, featuring four customer entries among the leading crews in the WRC2. Joint championship leader Oliver Solberg will compete alongside fellow drivers including Jan Solans, Diego Domínguez, and Kajetan Kajetanowicz, who is making his first appearance with the GR Yaris Rally2.

In a statement, Jari-Matti Latvala, Team Principal, expressed, “The Safari Rally is always a special event for our team, and this year’s edition has extra significance as our 100th WRC rally since we started in 2017.” Elfyn Evans remarked, “The Safari is a unique rally… it can be a huge challenge just to get to the end.” Kalle Rovanperä noted the season’s difficulties, emphasizing, “The Safari is definitely one of the most special rallies in the season.” Takamoto Katsuta highlighted his positive experience in Sweden and expressed confidence in achieving a podium finish, while Sami Pajari acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “the target is just to gain as much experience as we can.”

For the latest updates, please visit [wrc.com](http://www.wrc.com). Follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT on their social media platforms for more developments during the rally.

The upcoming Safari Rally Kenya presents a significant milestone for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing as they celebrate their 100th WRC event. The team’s momentum, highlighted by recent victories, sets the stage for a highly competitive rally. Despite the unique challenges each driver faces on this iconic African terrain, the team is optimistic about achieving a noteworthy result while commemorating the past successes of the event. With the introduction of new stages and vehicles, this edition promises to be memorable.

Original Source: newsroom.toyota.eu