This archive report was first published on 22 June 2021.
On June 21-22, drivers participating in the WRC Safari Rally got a chance to familiarize themselves with the picturesque route, conducting a mandatory recce ahead of the event.
International drivers, including seven-time world champion Sebastien Ogier representing the Toyota Gazoo Racing team and 2019 world champion Ott Tanak of the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally team, drove their recce vehicles through the four stages for the day.
According to the rules, the rally drivers are allowed to drive through the route ahead of the event to write their own pace notes that will help them navigate the stages faster and with ease.
However, the drivers have to use a different vehicle from the one they will be racing in. This saw the Toyota Team recce with Subaru's GVB's, Hyundai used the popular BMW 1 series, M-sport Ford used replica rally cars, while many of the Kenyan drivers used their daily drivers, Toyota Landcruiser Prados.
Issa Amwari and Job Njiru, car number 41, said, “The Recce was crazy. It was good. Actually, some of the stages we were familiar with, but when you go inside, my friends’ things change. Like the last stage we did; Hells Gate it’s exactly that. Its Hells Gate. The dust is crazy, if you slow down you are sunk,” Amwari told Capital Sport.
He added, “This is an open rally, for everyone. Anyone has a chance in this one depending on how you drive and how you navigate.”
Day two of the recce took the drivers through the longest stages of the rally, while day three will see them navigate the shorter stages. However, none of the drivers is allowed to exceed 80 Km/h in any of the stages.
The drivers and crews are also expected to abide by the Kenyan Traffic act while on tarmac.
