It’s all systems go ahead of Kenya’s toughest rally; the Safari Rally that revs off on this Friday, 10th June.
President Uhuru Kenyatta will flag off the cars at the traditional Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
Reigning KNRC champion Jaspreet Chatthe will be first off the ramp as he kick starts his Safari defence.
“We are opening the rally as per the seedings, our largest challenge will be the wildlife animals as the sections are in conservancy which shall slow as down,” said Chatthe.
“But all in all the sections are fantastics, they have everything in them and we looking forward to a good rally,” he added.
Ian Duncan will go second on the road followed by Carlo Tundo while current KNRC leader Baldev Chager will go seventh.
The three day event will start with the Jamhuri Spectator stage covering 2.22km.
Day two which is the longest has six stages totaling 175.78kms.
The final day will have three stages covering 65.74km.
Unlike before, the organisers of Safari Rally have introduced the super rally format that will give an opportunity to all crews to experience the toughest rally from the start to the finish.
“If a crew drops out during the super special stage on day one, we give you the slowest time plus five minutes and they continue with the rally as long as their cars is in the perc ferme by the time stated by the organisers,” explains Jaswinder Chana the deputy clerk of the course of the event.
“If you drop out on day two, we can let you start day three but not scoring any points or seeded.”
“That was decided to help drivers who have come from far to drive and gain the experience,” says Chana.
This will be the second time Safari Rally is running as a non Africa Rally Championship event since KMSF withdrew from the competition last year.