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L. MathekaTundo, Rai siblings only Kenyans enlisted for WRC Safari shakedown
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 23.06.21. | 12:25
The shakedown is a timed qualifying section, ran a day prior to the main event, from where the fastest driver will be invited to choose their preferred event start order.
Africa Rally Championship (ARC) Equator Rally champion Carl 'Flash' Tundo and the Rai brothers Onkar Rai and Tejveer Rai who will all drive Volkswagen Polo Gti’s are in the WRC RC2 class are the only local drivers enlisted in the Shakedown set for Wednesday, 23 June, from 1pm.
This is how Naivasha is looking right now because #SafariRallyisback and it is officially starting TODAY with the Shakedown happening adjacent to the Loldia Airstrip! #feeltheexcitement as it is time for the #2021WRCSafariRally! #WRC #SafariRallyKenya #TwendeSafariRally pic.twitter.com/SfCi3OMvPS
— Safari Rally Kenya (@wrcsafarirally) June 23, 2021
The Shakedown at Loldia, one of the competitive sections of the rally, gives drivers an opportunity to test their machines prior to competition proper. 12 top WRC drivers and the three local drivers will participate in shakedown.
Set to take place at a 5.40km stage, the shakedown is a timed qualifying section from where the fastest driver will be invited to choose their preferred event start order.
World Champion Sebastian Ogier, winner of three out of five WRC events this season, and his navigator Julien Ingrassia are first off the ramp in the shakedown followed by his Toyota Gazoo teammate Elfyn Evans who won the Portugal rally. Hyundai’s Ott Tanak is third with Toyota Gazoo’s duo of Takamoto Katsuta and Kalle Rovanpera completing the top five list at the shakedown.
"Welcome to Kenya" Onkar welcomes foreign drivers.#WRC #SafariRallyKenya pic.twitter.com/p3Gfndlk0q
— Safari Rally Kenya (@wrcsafarirally) June 23, 2021
On Tuesday, 22 June, drivers went through reconnaissance and scrutineering and after the shakedown, drivers will proceed to Nairobi to prepare for the ceremonial start at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Thursday, 24 June. This will be followed by the Super Special Stage at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
On Friday, 25 June, rallying proper begins with Special Stages (SS) with Kedong hosting two large spectator areas. One at the lake end, second adjacent to Longonot. Other SS will be run at Elementaita where the stage takes inroads of the Soysambu Conservancy on the Delamere Estate that has been part of the Safari Rally for decades.
Soysambu will feature as the WRC Live TV stage with a large spectator and hospitality area at the start and finish where there will be an opportunity to get up close to the cars before they start the special stage.
When I won the @FIAERC Junior Championship last year, I got €100,000 prize money to spend on this year's ERC season - but my busy schedule means I can't do any ERC events this year, so I'm giving that money to my cousin Oscar instead! Best of luck! ???? https://t.co/3JUDVJe2KS? pic.twitter.com/GYT911hex4
— Oliver Solberg (@OliverSolberg01) June 22, 2021
Sleeping Warrior is another SS crisscrossing the natural plain before a rocky finish. The longest stage on Saturday, it will be tricky for the crews whose tyres will have to cope with high-speed sections versus the coarse lava road surface.
The Hell’s Gate SS perhaps has the most scenic backdrop of any of the Power Stages on the Safari and is going to sign off the event on a high. With the finish line of the final stage alongside the picturesque Ficher’s Tower, it will be a great opportunity for spectators to get close to the action of the final day and Power Stage.
