In previous years, the legendary Safari Rally event was held in June, but this year it has returned to its original Easter weekend slot. The timing falls within the rainy season, leading to predictions of particularly challenging conditions.
A glimpse of Safari’s immense challenge was seen as early as Monday, when the rally’s recce began. In places, the special stages were extremely muddy due to the rains.
Finnish prospect Sami Pajari, who is not competing this week around Lake Naivasha but is in Kenya recceing stages for the future, encountered problems on Monday morning when his recce car veered slightly off the road into ruts and got stuck in mud. Pajari needed a little towing help but eventually continued on his way.
The Finnish driver quipped to the DirtFish reporter who captured the situation as he got out of his car:
“You were on my line!”
From the ruts, it appeared Pajari was not the only driver who had become stuck in the same spot.
See the video of Pajari’s situation below.
This year, Pajari is competing in the WRC2 class with Toyota’s new Rally2 car. He will next compete for points in the Rally Croatia in April.
Takamoto Katsuta of Toyota and the WRC have also released photo material from Monday morning’s recce.
Sunny weather is mostly forecast for the Naivasha area in the coming days, but rain showers are possible.
The Safari Rally recce concludes on Tuesday. The rally’s shakedown stage is scheduled for Wednesday, and the opening super special stage on Thursday.
