This archive report was first published on 19 July 2020.
Kenya's rally drivers are in for a thrilling experience as the Safari Rally makes its comeback to the FIA World Rally Championship calendar next year.
Eric Bengi, a Premier Class driver in the Kenya National Rally Championship, believes the return of the Safari Rally will be a perfect opportunity for local drivers to learn and improve.
According to Bengi, racing against the big boys of the World Rally Championships (WRC) will push Kenyan drivers to their limit, but it will also be a learning experience.
“I know for sure that the WRC drivers will whip us out clean, but it will be a learning lesson to come back, reset and reflect on what makes them tick and how differently they do their things,” Bengi said.
He added that the experience will make Kenyan drivers drive to their limit, resulting in thrills and spills.
Bengi will be one of the many drivers from the current crop of KNRC speedsters to debut at the iconic WRC Safari next year.
Only a few Kenyan drivers have previously competed in the WRC Safari event, including reigning Kenya and Safari champion Baldev Chager, Ian Duncan, and Carl ‘Flash” Tundo.
Legendary Duncan was the last Kenyan driver to win the WRC Safari title in 1994.
Kenya made its step up to top-flight action this year, but the event was pushed to next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Safari Rally is a good thing to happen. Let me just say that in Africa, Kenya ranks among countries with the best drivers among them Manvir (Baryan) who has won the African Championship three years in a row,” added Bengi.
