The itinerary for the Safari Rally has been released on the WRC’s official website. Only two of the Safari’s special stages have undergone changes.
Kedong, a stage that troubled car air filters with flying dust, is reportedly being run in a different direction and on a slightly altered route according to information received by RallyJournal.com. Meanwhile, the rally’s longest special stage, Sleeping Warrior, has been extended at the end to a length of 36 kilometres, while the beginning has been shortened.
Despite these modifications, many special stages will be run in the same format for the third consecutive time, such as Loldia, Soysambu, Elmenteita, and the rally-culminating Hell’s Gate Power Stage. Oserengoni, despite its new name, remains a familiar special stage, the same as the previously run Oserian.
Drivers might still face new challenges despite the familiar route. The rally has been moved from June to the end of March, which could impact weather conditions. For instance, Equator Rally Kenya in April 2021 featured very muddy conditions on stages familiar from the WRC.
Safari Rally is traditionally held in the spring, a classic timing for the event. It was organized during this season up until 2000 when it was shifted to June.
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Safari Rally differs from other WRC gravel events in that the special stages often don’t follow actual roads but tracks formed on the savannah. The routes are typically straightforward and angular, which can lead to high speeds, but drivers often need to slow down for rough patches. The road surface and character vary continuously.
The total distance of the Kenyan WRC event is 367 kilometres, making it potentially the season’s longest and the lengthiest rally since Monte Carlo in 2018. On Super Sunday, a total of six special stages are driven, with a combined length of 80 kilometres, ensuring substantial value for the points awarded on Sunday.
Under the current points system, separate daily points are available for the top seven fastest drivers on Sunday. Additionally, the familiar Power Stage offers points for the top five competitors.
Safari Rally is the season’s third round and is scheduled to take place from March 28 to March 31.
Safari Rally itinerary (CET):
Wednesday, March 27 08:01 Shakedown: Loldia (5.40 km) Thursday, March 28 12:05 SS1: Super Special Kasarani (4.84 km) Friday, March 29 06:15 SS2: Loldia 1 (19.17 km) 07:33 SS3: Geothermal 1 (13.12 km) 08:26 SS4: Kedong 1 (31.50 km) 10:23 Service (40 min) 11:48 SS5: Loldia 2 (19.17 km) 13:06 SS6: Geothermal 2 (13.12 km) 13:59 SS7: Kedong 2 (36.08 km) Saturday, March 30 06:01 SS8: Soysambu 1 (29.32 km) 07:05 SS9: Elmenteita 1 (15.08 km) 08:03 SS10: Sleeping Warrior 1 (36.08 km) 10:28 Service (40 min) 12:34 SS11: Soysambu 2 (29.32 km) 13:35 SS12: Elmenteita 2 (15.08 km) 14:33 SS13: Sleeping Warrior 2 (36.08 km) Sunday, March 31 06:02 SS14: Malewa 1 (8.33 km) 06:42 SS15: Oserengoni 1 (18.33 km) 08:05 SS16: Hell's Gate 1 (10.53 km) 09:18 Service (15 min) 10:20 SS17: Malewa 2 (8.33 km) 11:10 SS18: Oserengoni 2 (18.33 km) 13:15 SS19: Hell's Gate 2 (10.53 km) *Power Stage
