In this year’s legendary Safari Rally, the top-class cars will also feature so-called snorkels, which are designed to prevent water and sand from entering the engine. Toyota’s team is also planning other updates.
On Friday, the team revealed that the GR Yaris Rally1 car would receive a suspension upgrade aimed at improving both performance and reliability.
“It’s difficult to make significant changes to the car for this one event, but we are introducing a general update for the suspension. It’s also great that we can fit snorkels to the cars, which will not only look quite cool but also help if there is more water on the road,” team principal Jari-Matti Latvala explains.
Toyota has been successful in Kenya in recent years, securing a one-two-three-four finish in the last two events in Naivasha and the top two positions in 2021.
“The Safari Rally is an event we always look forward to. This year, it could bring a different challenge with the change of date: now it’s the rainy season in Kenya so there’s more risk of difficult conditions,” Latvala considers.
“When it rains there, the stages can get extremely slippery and it can be quite a challenge for the drivers to tackle.”
Latvala emphasizes that patience is traditionally the key to success.
“Patience is always very important, and especially if the weather gets difficult. Being the smartest can be the key, rather than being the fastest,” Latvala summarizes.
“All of our drivers have shown what it takes to do well there and we would really like to see another Toyota win.”
Safari Rally kicks off with a shakedown stage on Wednesday. The rally starting on Thursday will feature 19 special stages, totaling nearly 370 kilometers.
