Expect the unexpected – is the best motto for Safari Rally Kenya. With its evolving to fit the modern-day, Kenya’s adventure remains its wild character from its origins. As the heartbeat of the World Rally Championship, the Safari Rally tests rally drivers’ sheer skill, precision, and determination as they face the toughest challenges. As a result, only some of the drivers at the grid will finish. So no one can guarantee you the meeting expectations. That is for a reason; let’s explore the main excitement of the WRC Safari Rally 2023
A brief history of the WRC Safari Rally
The WRC Safari Rally has a rich history that dates back to 1953, as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Over the years, it has become one of motorsport’s most prestigious and demanding races.
The rally was initially created to test the endurance of both drivers and vehicles, with its grueling stages and unpredictable conditions. Alongside the Rally Acropolis, it quickly gained a reputation for being one of the toughest rallies on the calendar and remained in its position at the top.
In the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship season, Safari Rally Kenya is the seventh round, where the drivers have to pass the closed dirt roads while we stare at the stunning picture-postcard scenery and fascinating wildlife.
However, no hope that the challenge will be more straightforward in 2023. The forecast increases the thrills because raindrops are expected for the weekend, most likely on Thursday and Friday.
Key Facts and Figures about the WRC Safari Rally 2023
#1. Weather and road surface
For the WRC Safari Rally 2023, all the rally cars are set with a high-lifted gravel suspension. Drivers get Pirelli’s hard and soft compound Scorpion tires to choose from. So the primary purpose is to pass rutted and rocky roads. But coping with that task is more challenging even with such equipment.
Therefore, the weather is among the leading facts that make the Safari Rally Kenya 2023 unpredictable. Whether it will be rains or not, the road surface is a headache for drivers and hybrid Rall1 cars.
In dry and sunny weather, there will be a lot of dust, which is a problem for current Rally1 cars. But, simultaneously, the temperature on the road and in the vehicle will be boiling. Moreover, some sections are so rocky that running these at a walking pace is better.
Rally Safari 2023 will become even more grueling in case of the rain. All the dust will be transformed into glutinous slippery mudbaths and create an additional test to rallying skills to test.
In case of a mix of rain with sun weather conditions, the mud at the route of Safari Rally will transform into a rocky road surface. A combination of deep water and dusty roads can guarantee only a few drivers to finish.
#2 Wild nature factor
The wild nature is another factor of the unpredictability of Safari Rally Kenya 2023. One of the distinguishing features of the WRC Safari Rally is its emphasis on adventure and exploration. Unlike other rallies that set their routes on closed roads, the Safari Rally takes drivers through some of the world’s most remote and challenging terrains.
From dense forests to dusty tracks and treacherous river crossings, the rally offers a unique blend of natural obstacles that require skill and bravery.
Therefore, running zebras, resting lions, and lunching giraffes are the participants of Rally Safari, which you will not meet at any other round of the FIA WRC, but it is usually found in Kenya. It looks stunning!
#3 The route of the WRC Safari Rally 2023
Safari Rally Kenya covers its modern format for the third time. However, much of the route keeps the same as last year. Drivers must pass 56.98km across 19 grueling stages in Great Rift Valley. These stages test the drivers’ skills and endurance with a mix of fast sections, rough terrains, and technical challenges. The main rule for the brave rally racers is to resist the temptation to treat the Safari like a typical gravel event.
So, Rally Safari starts on Thursday, 22nd June, in the heart of the capital city Nairobi with a grand ceremony with the meeting of President William Ruto. After two hours, we finally rush to pass the two-at-a-time Super Special Kasarani (4.84km) northeast of the city center. That will be enough for the first day.
Friday starts early with Loldia (19.17km), which is followed by Geothermal (13.12km). The climbing rides over craggy rock-lined hills on the north and south sides of Lake Naivasha, with Kedong (30.48km) rounding out the loop before all three are repeated. Friday’s total to pass is 125.54km.
However, Saturday is a 150.88km route – the longest weekend distance. Thus the way will go us roads further north around Lake Elmenteita. The day begins with Soysambu (29.32km), followed by a blast over Elmenteita’s (15.08km) oft-used tracks in the Delamere Estate. The iconic Sleeping Warrior (31.04km) completes the trio, which is repeated after service.
Sunday morning gives an easy respite before the final Power Stage. There are set three stages: Malewa (9.0km), Oserian (18.33km), and the legendary Hell’s Gate (10.53km), each run twice – covering both sides of Lake Naivasha. 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 top contenders in the WRC Safari Rally
You may wonder, but among current rally drivers to race at WRC Safari Rally, we have that one who had never had racing experiences here. We can only wish luck to Hyundai Motorsport driver Esapekka Lappi.
Despite that, a tough challenge will change everyone on the grid and improve their skills to another level. Thus, here are some of the top contenders to watch out for in the WRC Safari Rally 2023:
Sebastien Ogier is our favorite because his racing experiences and eight titles of world rally championships behind him are more eloquent.
However, with Kalle Rovanperä, they are winners of the previous two editions – field Toyota GR Yaris cars, Elfyn Evans, and Takamoto Katsuta.
Therefore, if something goes wrong with Ogier’s Toyota, we bet Rovanperä takes the podium. Besides, Katsuta is a dark horse of these weekend, as the Japanese star was twice a podium finisher in Kenya.
Alongside Esapekka Lappi there are Thierry Neuville, and Dani Sordo represent Hyundai Motorsport at the wheel of charged i20 N. Neuville’s precision and ability to adapt to different conditions make him a strong contender for the WRC Safari Rally victory; however, this wouldn’t be an easy ride for his demanding i20 N car. The team needs a dose of maximal points against their main rival Toyota.
Another favorite of Safari Rally 2023 on which M-Sport Ford lies huge hopes is Estonian world rally champion Ott Tänak. Knowing for his aggressive driving style and ability to push the limits of himself and his car, Tanak has proven himself on the challenging terrains of the WRC Safari Rally, making him a serious contender. However, they represent M-Sport Ford Pumas alongside Pierre-Louis Loubet and privateer Jourdan Serderidis.
WRC Safari Rally 2023 Schedule
| THURSDAY 22 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| PRE SHOW FROM NAIVASHA KWS SP & KCC CEREMONIAL START | 12:30 |
| BREAK | 13:15 |
| SS1 – SUPER SPECIAL KASARANI – TV LIVE WF1 | 14:00 |
| FRIDAY 23 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| NAIVASHA KWS SP | 07:45 |
| SS2 – LOLDIA 1 | 08:00 |
| BREAK | 09:00 |
| SS3 – GEOTHERMAL 1 | 09:15 |
| SS4 – KEDONG 1 | 10:08 |
| BREAK | 11:15 |
| SS5 – LOLDIA 2 | 13:09 |
| BREAK | 14:00 |
| SS6 – GEOTHERMAL 2 | 14:27 |
| SS7 – KEDONG 2 | 15:17 |
| NAIVASHA KWS SP | 16:18 |
| SATURDAY 24 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| SS8 – SOYSAMBU 1 | 08:00 |
| SS9 – ELMENTEITA 1 – TV LIVE WF2 | 09:00 |
| SS10 – SLEEPING WARRIOR 1 | 10:00 |
| BREAK | 11:00 |
| SS11 – SOYSAMBU 2 | 14:00 |
| SS12 – ELMENTEITA 2 – TV LIVE WF3 | 15:00 |
| SS13 – SLEEPING WARRIOR 2 | 16:00 |
| BREAK | 17:00 |
| NAIVASHA KWS SP | 17:15 |
| SUNDAY 25 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| NAIVASHA KWS SP | 06:45 |
| SS14 – MALEWA 1 | 06:55 |
| SS15 – OSERIAN 1 | 07:51 |
| SS16 – HELL’S GATE 1 – TV LIVE WF4 | 09:00 |
| BREAK | 10:00 |
| SS17 – MALEWA 2 | 11:12 |
| SS18 – OSERIAN 2 | 12:08 |
| BREAK | 13:00 |
| SS19 – HELL’S GATE 2 WOLF POWER STAGE – TV LIVE WF5 | 14:00 |
| WRAP UP SHOW FROM HELLS’S GATE POWER STAGE PODIUM | 15:30 |
Also, you can check the full live stream schedule for the Safari Rally Kenya 2023 on the WRC official.
Instead of conclusion
With its unique challenges, stunning landscapes, and passionate fans, the WRC Safari Rally 2023 is not just a race; it’s an adventure of a lifetime. From the heart-stopping action on the rally stages to the breathtaking landscapes of Kenya, this event has it all. In conclusion, Safari Rally is always about everything possible in the FIA WRC, or expect the unexpected, as they say. Therefore, it sets to remain one of the most iconic events in motorsport.
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