2023 Safari Rally Kenya Preview

FIA World Rally Championship leader Kalle Rovanperä hunts down back-to-back Safari Rally Kenya wins as the legendary African event celebrates its 70th edition for round seven of the series this week (22 - 25 June).

The Finnish prodigy, who became the youngest-ever WRC champion in 2022, arrives at what is widely regarded as the toughest round of the championship carrying a handy 25-point advantage.

He’s filled with confidence knowing that his Toyota Gazoo Racing team has reigned supreme in the past three editions.

Twelve months ago, Rovanperä headed home a historic 1-2-3-4 finish for Toyota here - a feat achieved only once in the 29 years previous.

“It’s a rally that can depend a lot on the weather, because the conditions can change completely from one year to another. That makes it a really big challenge, but it’s one that suits us quite well, I think,” he said. “Hopefully we can have another strong weekend and score more good points for the championship.”

Eight-time world champion and part-time driver Sébastien Ogier, winner in 2021, returns to action aboard a similar GR Yaris, while Welshman Elfyn Evans steers the Japanese marque’s third car. Takamoto Katsuta, who boasts a flawless record of podium finishes in Kenya, also campaigns a Toyota but will not score manufacturers’ championship points.

Hyundai hopefuls Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi and Dani Sordo are among those determined to spoil Toyota’s party. The i20 N team starts the rally buoyed by a double podium last time out in Italy, although Lappi admits he is entering the unknown on his maiden Safari outing.

“This is going to be a new adventure, a new territory for me - somewhere I’ve never been before,” he admitted. "I don’t know what to expect, but I think we know what the car is capable of.”

Ott Tänak, third in the points, spearheads M-Sport Ford’s charge. The Estonian teams up with young Frenchman Pierre-Louis Loubet as well as Greek privateer Jourdan Serderidis in identical Puma cars. 

Tänak will be looking to turn podium pace into a maiden Safari Rally Kenya success in Naivasha this week.

Long straight roads where speeds could top 200kph contrast with rocky rutted tracks and deep fesh-fesh sand that can reduce cars to little more than walking pace. And, to add to the excitement, thunderstorms are predicted during the four-day encounter. If the forecasters are correct, rain could transform the dry sections into treacherous mud baths in minutes.

The rally starts in Nairobi on Thursday lunchtime. Ahead lie 19 gruelling special stages around Lakes Naivasha and Elmenteita covering 355.92km before Sunday afternoon's finish in Naivasha.

ROUTE + MAPS

Challenging dirt roads, stunning picture-postcard scenery and exotic African wildlife. Safari Rally Kenya boasts an adventure like no other, and this year will certainly be no different.

And it’s not just the rutted and rocky fesh-fesh-covered tracks that competitors must be mindful of. Thunderstorms are forecast from Tuesday onwards and, if that weather does arrive, the usually dry and dusty trails will be reduced to treacherous mudbaths.

Run for the third time in its modern format, Safari Rally Kenya covers 356.98km across 19 gruelling stages in the picturesque Great Rift Valley. Much of the route for this 70th edition remains similar to last year, with a series of minor tweaks included to keep the crews on their toes.

Thursday’s lunchtime start at Uhuru Gardens in the heart of capital city Nairobi, in the presence of President William Ruto, is followed by a gentle appetiser for what is to follow.

The two-at-a-time Super Special Kasarani (4.84km), north-east of the city centre, sends competitors on the near-100km journey back to the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute service park in Naivasha.

Friday’s opening leg spans the north and south sides of Lake Naivasha. It starts with Loldia (19.17km) which is followed by Geothermal (13.12km), a stage first introduced in 2022 which climbs over craggy rock-lined hills. Kedong (30.48km) rounds out the loop before all three are repeated after service, bringing the day’s total to 125.54km.

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Roads further north around Lake Elmenteita host Saturday’s monster 150.88km route, the longest leg of the weekend.

The day begins with Soysambu (29.32km), which is followed by a blast over Elmenteita’s (15.08km) oft-used tracks in the Delamere Estate. Sleeping Warrior (31.04km), set in the shadow of a hill that resembles a Masai warrior lying down, completes the trio, which are repeated once again after service.

Sunday’s finale features three stages - each run twice - covering both sides of Lake Naivasha.

Last run in 2021, Malewa (9.0km) is back on the itinerary and opens proceedings on the fourth and final day. Up next are Oserian (18.33km) and Hell’s Gate (10.53km), both of which are run in a similar format to 2022. 

The second pass through Hell’s Gate, which finishes amid stunning scenery at Fischer’s Tower, forms the Wolf Power Stage with bonus points on offer for drivers and manufacturers. The survivors will then return to Naivasha for the afternoon finish ceremony.

Reporting by WRC