This archive report was first published on 22 June 2021.
June 22, 2021, marked a significant milestone for the World Rally Championship as it announced the return of the Safari Rally to Kenyan soil after a 19-year absence.
The last time the Safari Rally was part of the WRC calendar was in 2002, a year that saw the release of the second-generation iPod with 20GB storage capacity and Colin McRae's victory in the Safari Rally driving a Ford Focus RS WRC.
Thierry Neuville, a top participant in the competition, expressed his excitement about the event, saying, "I think everyone is excited to have Safari Rally Kenya on the calendar. I have heard stories from drivers who have had the chance to go there in the past, who have described the adventure they lived at the time."
Neuville noted that the rally would be a different experience for the drivers, who would be facing a new and unfamiliar terrain. "It will be a different experience for us, as the rallying has evolved over time. I don’t know what is waiting for us, but I hope to come back with a big trophy. We’ll be seeing zebras, elephants and giraffes – it is going to be fun," he said.
The Safari Rally Kenya has undergone significant changes since its last appearance in the WRC calendar. Gone are the days of racing on open roads, where dodging oncoming traffic was a significant part of the event. This year's sixth round of the World Rally Championship will feature a more familiar format, with live coverage airing on KBC Channel One.
