Get ready to plunge into the wildest nature of one of the most unpredictable and breathtaking rallies of the FIA World Rally Championship! Just take your insect repellents and sunscreen because we are heading to Nairobi to watch Safari Rally Kenya 2022. Even if you do not fly, nothing will stop you from running alongside zebras and seeing lions and giraffes together with our courageous drivers. The WRC All Live has already taken care of and prepared the racing celebration that we will join this weekend.
“It’s like nowhere else”
Scott Martin, Elfyn Evans’ co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing
Why Safari Rally is about the strength test?
Safari Rally attracts thousands of people from all over the world. The event takes place in the Masai Mara National Reserve, the home for too many wild animals, such as lions, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos, zebras, and antelopes. A good reason to learn more about wildlife conservation.
Okay, we just take the sunscreen and watch from a respectable distance. Safari Rally has its own unique character. Honestly, it is a bit wild. Here in Kenya, it is very easy to become transfixed and get lost in time. Stunning picture-postcard scenery and exotic views make you stop and stare at exotic African wildlife. Every rally driver remembers it heading to Kenya.
What else does each rally driver remember about stepping on the African continent? That will be a tough round. Rally Kenya is one of the hardest challenges. It is like no other. High temperatures, waist-deep ruts, dirt and tricky roads are the strength test for drivers and for hybrid rally1 cars.
As well as the rocky and rutted tracks, our bravest participants will be wary of the heavy rain and thunderstorms. The forecast from Thursday afternoon onwards is likely to be unpredictable, especially when it comes to tyre choce. If that weather does arrive, the usually dry and dusty trails will be reduced to treacherous mudbaths.
So it will not be superfluous to check the battling car again and again. Meanwhile, the word “carefully” has additional meaning here and appears as the primary order for the Safari Rally 2022.
What is on the agenda for us on WRC Kenya?
From 23 to 26 June, we will cover over 1,000 miles across the Kenyan countryside. On the itinerary are some of the most picturesque landscapes in East Africa, including the Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. In deed: 19 stages total 363.44km.
Safari Rally Kenya 2022 route.
We will start from Nairobi, the capital, in the presence of President Uhuru Kenya on Thursday. Then we will pass through the Super Special Kasarani (4.84km), with a 100km journey back to the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute at the service park.
The north and south sides of Lake Naivasha are scheduled for Friday. We will start with Loldia (19.17km), and a brand-new stage which climbs over craggy rock-lined hills. Kedong (31.25km) is the longest stage of the rally. It rounds out the loop and brings the day’s total to 124.20km! A 150.88km wild earth route surrounds Lake Elmenteita and is the focus for Saturday.
Besides, we will drive through the extended Soysambu and Elmenteita tracks. The route is a bit differing compare with WRC Kenya’s round in 2021. The sleeping warrior’s leg is hidden in the shadow of a hill that resembles a Masai warrior lying down.
Sunday’s finale features three stages – each run twice – on the southern side of Lake Naivasha. The new test Narasha follows Oseria and Hell’s Gate. It rises from the arid floor of the Rift Valley across historic Maasai grazing lands.
Therefore only survivors rich the The Wolf Power Stage, which impling the pass through Hell’s Gate, which finishes at Fishers Tower.
2022 Safari Rally Kenya live stream schedule
WRC All Live will cover the full rally racing days. Interviews from Service Park, unique shots, legendary drivers and amazing views are included in the program. Here is the Safari Rally Kenya 2022 live stream schedule.
| FRIDAY 24 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| KWS SP STUDIO ‘GOOD MORNING RALLY FANS’ | 07:00 |
| SS2 LOLDIA 1 | 08:00 |
| BREAK | 08:45 |
| SS3 GEOTHERMAL 1 | 09:18 |
| SS4 KEDONG 1 | 10:10 |
| BREAK | 11:45 |
| KWS SP STUDIO ‘GOOD AFTERNOON RALLY FANS’ | 13:00 |
| SS5 LODIA 2 | 13:09 |
| KWS SP STUDIO | 13:52 |
| BREAK | 14:00 |
| SS6 GEOTHERMAL 2 | 14:27 |
| KWS SP STUDIO | 15:15 |
| SS7 KEDONG 2 | 15:20 |
| MEDIA ZONE AND SV C – KWS SP | 16:06 |
| SATURDAY 25 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| KWS SP STUDIO | 08:00 |
| SS8 SOYSAMBU 1 | 08:06 |
| SS9 ELEMENTEITA 1 TV LIVE WF2 | 09:00 |
| SS10 SLEEPING WARRIOR 1 | 10:00 |
| KWS SP STUDIO | 10:50 |
| BREAK | 11:00 |
| KWS SP STUDIO | 14:00 |
| SS11 SOYSAMBU 2 | 14:07 |
| SS12 ELEMENTEITA 2 TV LIVE WF3 | 15:00 |
| SS13 SLEEPING WARRIOR 2 | 16:00 |
| KWS SP STUDIO | 16:50 |
| MEDIA ZONE AND SV F – KWS SP | 17:30 |
| SUNDAY 26 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| KWS SP STUDIO ‘GOOD MORNING RALLY FANS’ | 06:00 |
| SS14 OSERIAN 1 | 07:05 |
| KWS SP STUDIO | 08:00 |
| SS15 NARASHA 1 | 08:08 |
| SS16 HELLS GATE 1 TV LIVE WF4 | 09:00 |
| BREAK | 10:00 |
| KWS SP STUDIO | 11:15 |
| SS17 OSERIAN 2 | 11:29 |
| BREAK | 12:15 |
| SS18 NARASHA 2 | 12:30 |
| KWS SP STUDIO | 13:10 |
| SS19 HELLS GATE 2 – TV LIVE WF 5 – WOLF POWERSTAGE | 14:00 |
| WRAP UP SHOW FROM KWS SP | 15:30 |
| THURSDAY 23 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| WELCOME TO SAFARI RALLY KENYA! | 13:00 |
| BREAK | 13:30 |
| SSS1 SUPER SPECIAL KASARANI TV LIVE WF1 | 14:00 |
Who is in the focus on WRC Kenya’ stage?
“It’s quite a different rally to usual, and it’s maybe not the one you enjoy the most when you are the in the car, but of course the scenery is great. It’s a special place and you need to approach it a bit differently too.”
Kalle Rovanperä Toyota Gazoo Racing driver
Talking about survivors. As no one no one is immune from mistakes in the tricky conditions on Rally Safari 2022, there are no clear predictions on who will be fastest.
The legendary Sebastien Loeb, winner of the Rally Monte Carlo 2022, will be back for another victory. Loeb loves the toughest challenges, and he will most likely be the one to lead the pack.
Although, younger Kalle Rovanperä, whose winning row was stopped for a while on Rally Sardegna 2022, is already full of power to make new records. Inspired by the winning in Italy, Hyundai driver Ott Tanak, alongside Thierry Neuville, are already unpacking the baggage to compete with Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers for the fastest time.
To make a long story short, Rally Safari is unpredictable: its weather, updated route, and driving conditions. Who will win? No one is sure.
Leave a Comment