WRC Safari Rally: Oliver Solberg eager to race in Kenya

One of the most iconic fixtures on the global motorsport calendar, the WRC Safari Rally, takes place from 28 - 31 March and as drivers switch to the grueling gravel event, Oliver Solberg is eager to compete.

The 22-year-old leads the battle in the WRC2 where exciting racing is expected with the likes of Gus Greensmith, Nicolas Ciamin, and Kajetan Kajetanowicz all vying for victory.

Kenyan drivers including Carl Tundo and Karan Patel should not be ruled out, and nor should FIA Junior WRC regular Diego Domínguez, who will make his WRC2 debut in a Citroën C3.

“Ready to fight in Kenya. Let's go!” Oliver wrote on his socials while also making an inference to his love for Kenya’s loose soil that often turns quickly to unbearable mud when the skies open saying, “Ready to dance in the Fesh-Fesh!”

Last year, Oliver and his co-driver Elliott Edmondson competed in Kenya purely for experience – not selecting it as one of the rounds to count towards their WRC2 campaign.

They had been comfortably leading the Rally2 class in their Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo before retiring on Friday when failing to stop and change a puncture led to terminal damage.

Restarting on Saturday, Solberg valiantly fought back to 10th overall and made up seven minutes on eventual category winner Kajetanowicz. However, the Swede was penalized with a two-minute time penalty for using 27 Pirelli tires when regulations only permit the use of 26.

Karan Patel, Carl Tundo among Kenyan drivers confirmed for 2024 WRC Safari Rally

In 2022, the driver had been part of the Hyundai World Rally Ream.

The main contention will see Esapekka Lappi looking to continue his winning form after he claimed a popular victory in Sweden last month. The Finn, who drives part-time for Hyundai Motorsport, will pilot an i20 N Rally1 car for the Korean marque alongside championship leader Thierry Neuville plus Ott Tänak.

Toyota Gazoo Racing won last year’s Safari through eight-time WRC titlist Sébastien Ogier and, although the Frenchman won’t contest this edition, reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä fields a GR Yaris Rally1. He joins Welshman Elfyn Evans as well as Takamoto Katsuta, twice a podium finisher in Kenya.