Safari Rally Kenya: A Historic Challenge for the 2025 WRC Season

The Safari Rally Kenya, part of the 2025 WRC season, poses significant challenges with its rugged terrain and high-speed stretches. Toyota celebrates its milestone amid strong competition from drivers like Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä. New tyre technology and strategic choices will play a key role in the upcoming race.

The Safari Rally Kenya, renowned for its challenging terrain, marks the third round of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. Set in the picturesque Great Rift Valley, this event features thrilling wildlife just meters from the racing, while competitors face gravel tracks that are both treacherous and exhilarating.

This year holds particular significance for Toyota as it commemorates a century in motorsport, having secured a dominant start to the season with perfect scores in the first two rounds. However, despite being reigning champions, they face formidable challenges in this rally. The course is notorious for its combination of high-speed straightaways exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and rugged tracks that can hinder progress dramatically, making special equipment, such as snorkels for water crossings, essential.

Elfyn Evans leads the drivers’ standings by 28 points, although he is yet to master the specific challenges of the Safari Rally. In contrast, his teammate Kalle Rovanperä has two victories at this event, while Takamoto Katsuta has secured three podium finishes. Meanwhile, Sami Pajari, a rookie from Finland, is competing with the second team utilizing the GR Yaris Rally1.

Evans expressed the unique difficulty of the Safari Rally, noting, “It’s not easy even if it’s dry, but when you add the likelihood of rain and standing water, it can be a huge challenge just to get to the end.” The event continues to be a stronghold for the team, despite Evans’ personal struggles in past editions.

This year, the rally introduces the Hankook Dynapro R213 gravel tyre, which will be tested in these grueling conditions. Defending champion Thierry Neuville aims for a careful strategy, having opted for older models of the i20 N Rally1 for enhanced reliability. He stated, “We need to have a clever drive…taking care of the car and staying away from trouble will be key to that.”

M-Sport Ford will field three Puma Rally1 vehicles with drivers Grégoire Munster, Josh McErlean, and Jourdan Serderidis representing the British team. The rally will commence in Nairobi on Thursday and feature 21 challenging special stages around Lakes Naivasha and Elmenteita.

The Safari Rally Kenya presents a formidable challenge within the 2025 WRC season, showcasing stunning landscapes and harsh terrains. Despite Toyota’s dominance and Elfyn Evans’ current lead in the standings, the unique difficulties of this event keep the competition fierce. With new tyres debuting and strategic adaptations being made, this rally promises to be an intense test of skill and endurance.

Original Source: www.wrc.com