Ministry of

#GoKDelivers
Sports, Culture
and Heritage

WRC SAFARI RALLY

Ministry of Sports,
Culture and Heritage
 Contents
5. Welcome: From H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta

54
7. Message: CS Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage
8. Message: PS State Department of Sports
FEATURE 9. Message: CEO, WRC Safari Rally Kenya
18. Miss Safari: She is re-born
14. Amina Mohamed in FIA’s World Motor Sport Council
22. Miss Safari: She is re-born
24. Safari has injected new life into country
28. WRC Teams: Toyota
30. WRC Teams: Hyundai
28. WRC Teams: Ford
34. 2021 Safari Rally entry list
I want to take this
36. Safari rally past winners
opportunity to thank 40. Safari Return: Welcome relief amid uncertain times
the President of the 40. Drivers’ Profiles
obile
International Autom 42. New drivers, changed format, but still the Safari Rally
Federa tio n, Mr . Je an 46. Upcoming talent all set for take-off
Todt, the World Rally 48. Carl Tundo ‘flashing’ new card
oter,
Championship Prom 50. Nothing will stop determined Sachania
of th e Ke nya
the Chairman 54. They dare men: Women calling the shots in motorsport
or ts Fe de ra tio n,
Motorsp 58. Navigators: Critical behind-the-scene makers of champions
Ph ine as Ki m at hi an d
Mr.
Te ch nic al 62. HE President Uhuru Kenyatta boosts youngsters
the Directors and y
rk ing wi th m 66. Naivasha: Tourism, business haven
teams, for wo re
of Sp orts, Cu ltu 70. We are secure: Police service gives assurance
Ministry
the
and Heritage through
72. Africans who blazed the Safari trail
pio ns hip
World Rally Cham 74. Early EA Safari: Sport that defied colonial racial separation
Safari Rally pr oje ct, to 80. Safari history in pictures
t
deliver this iconic even 86. WRC 2021 Review: Seb Ogier tipped for Safari victory
at fo rm s pa rt of ou r
th 88. ARC 2021 Review: How Tundo polished up his preps for Safari
national heritage. 90. NRC 2021 Review : A Chager, Tundo battle rages on
- H.E. President Uhuru 93. Maps
Kenyattat
They dare men and, on
several occasions, match SPONSORS
or surpass them Ministry of Sports, Culture & Heritage
for
“It is a very big honour e
Sports Arts and Social Development Fund
Ke ny a wh er Kenya Wildlife Service
me to return i Kenya Commercial Bank
or t fo r the Sa far
the supp Toyota Kenya
e tre e
Rally is massive. Th Kenya Airways
d
planting idea initiate w Kenya Breweries Ltd
Ra lly an d th e
by Safari Safaricom
en t of Ke ny a do es
Governm t
Baseyetu
m en
good to the environ Aquamist
of the coun try. My Contech Container
nya
relationship with Ke
Technology Ltd
ck to ov er 50 ye ars
goes ba
and it say a lot .”
- Jean Todt

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY |3

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 Welcome
I made a promise to
the people of Kenya
Message by H.E. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta,
President of the Republic of Kenya and
Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence
Forces:

T
HE SAFARI RALLY as it is known today was first held in
Kenya in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Her
Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
It started as the East African Safari Rally, traversing the
three East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The Rally developed to become the toughest in the world
and was regarded as a true test of man and machine.
In 1973, the Safari was admitted to the prestigious
International Automobile Federation (FIA) World Rally
Championship (WRC) held within the boundaries of Kenya.
The Safari Rally continued to enjoy International
Automobile Federation World Rally Championship status
until the year 2002 when the event was dropped from the
World Rally Championship and relegated to the African Rally
Championship (ARC).
Before my Administration assumed office in 2013, I made
a promise to the people of Kenya, to return the Safari Rally
back to the International Automobile Federation World Rally
Championship family. This process has taken us seven years.
However, it was in 2010 when we started trying to work
with WRC to ask them to get back. There were a lot of hurdles
along the way.
The preparations have been intense and I want to thank all
agencies, our private sector, and rally enthusiasts who have My Administration will continue to work with the relevant
given their time and effort to ensure that this event takes bodies to ensure that the 2021 Safari Rally and successive
place. events thereafter, are hosted successfully.
It is my pleasure to see the Safari Rally marking the return I’m excited to lead all the people of Kenya in welcoming
of the World Rally Championship to Kenya and Africa, after 19 the 2021 International Automobile Federation World Rally
years of waiting. Championship Kenya Safari Rally back to our Land and Nation.
My hope and my prayer is that the manner in which we shall I thank you. God bless you.
conduct ourselves over the next few days will be such that
everybody will accept and understand that the Safari Rally is
now here and is here to stay, and we’re not likely to lose it.
But that will depend on not only how our drivers all perform,
or how all the agencies involved will perform, but how Kenyans The preparations have
ant
been intense and I w
themselves will behave.
our
to thank all agencies,
I want to take this opportunity to thank the President of
the International Automobile Federation, Mr. Jean Todt, the lly
World Rally Championship Promoter, the Chairman of the private sector, and ra
Kenya Motorsports Federation, Mr. Phineas Kimathi and the enthusiasts w ho ha ve
effort
Directors and Technical teams, for working with my Ministry given their time and
ent
of Sports, Culture and Heritage through the World Rally
to ensure that this ev
Championship Safari Rally project, to deliver this iconic event
that forms part of our national heritage.
takes place.
 Opinion

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 Message
In the land of Safari, WRC has a home
I
’M EXTREMELY DELIGHTED to welcome you all to the 2021 World
Rally Championship Safari Rally Kenya.
This is the culmination of a long journey to restore Kenya’s
rightful place on the World Rally Championship (WRC) roster, a
fitting restoration of our Safari Rally heritage.
Born as the Coronation Rally in 1953 as a celebration of Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s ascendance to the British throne,
the Safari Rally quickly became an indelible part of the Kenyan
heritage.
That’s why we at the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage
have left nothing to chance in ensuring our iconic event is back
onto its rightful place on the WRC calendar.
This includes making available adequate doses to ensure
that all rally officials and local drivers received their two
Covid-19 vaccines well ahead of the competition, and also
putting into place water-tight Covid-19 protocols to secure
this competition, and indeed all other sporting events in the
country.
My deepest gratitude goes to our Patron, His Excellency the
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence
Forces, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, for the enormous support he
has given the efforts to have the Safari Rally back onto the
global stage.
As Patron of the WRC Safari Rally, His Excellency the
President has kept his pre-election pledge to have the rally
back on international waters, and for this we remain hugely
appreciative. deforestation, traditional Safari Rally routes and the spectator
I also congratulate the rally’s Local Organising Committee stage at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
led by the CEO Phineas Kimathi, himself a Safari legend, for the This Safari Rally Greening Legacy project joins the FIA/WRC
excellent work they have done in executing this competition. family’s model of giving back to nature.
The LOC and thousands of volunteers, medics, security Our target is to create a Safari Forest at the Moi International
teams, media, caterers, technical officials and other support Sports Centre, Kasarani, and plant trees along the historical
personnel have indeed done the country proud. Safari Rally routes countrywide.
My sincere appreciation also goes to the International Through the local television rights holders KBC, the WRC
Automobile Federation (FIA) through President Jean Todt, for Safari Rally will be transmitted live on free-to-air television,
the technical, financial and morale support extended to us to ensuring that millions of Kenyans are able to follow the historic
enable the Safari Rally tick all the right boxes. competition from the comfort of their living rooms.
The success of the Africa Rally Championship Equator Rally With the WRC TV handling the live global broadcast, the
was a clear indication of the seriousness with which we have competition from June 24 to 27 will help market Kenya as the
approached this WRC event. preferred travel destination to millions across the globe.
The Safari Rally is more than merely a motorsport Our country’s economy will also reap maximum benefit from
competition. It will leave behind a huge legacy for the nation, rally week, with a minimum Sh6 billion expected to be injected
most significantly through the WRC Safari Rally Greening into the Kenyan economy and provide thousands of people with
Legacy project and Action for Road Safety programme. sources of livelihood for the next three years and prospectively,
The WRC Safari Rally Greening Legacy project is an beyond this initial period.
environmental conservation programme aimed at planting I welcome all teams, crews, media, officials and fans to
18 million trees over the next three years to commemorate our beautiful country, and wish you all a most memorable
the 18 years that the Safari Rally was out of the World Rally stay, encouraging you to take advantage of this opportunity
Championship circuit. to extend your stay and sample our world-famous touristic
This year, we plan to plant six million trees. We have so far offerings.
planted 653,000 trees in partnership with the Save Our Rivers Karibu Kenya!
Initiative and we are in the process of planting at least a million Message from Hon. Amb. (Dr.) Amina Mohamed, Cabinet
trees in Kisumu and Kakamega. Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage
We are mainly targeting parts of our wetlands affected by

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY |7

 Message
With Safari Rally
on WRC calendar,
motorsport is
richer globally
I
T IS ANOTHER PROUD MOMENT for Kenya, and Africa at large,
as we mark the return of the iconic Safari Rally to the World
Rally Championship circuit after a 19-year absence.
As we all know, it hasn’t been an easy journey getting
the event back onto the FIA calendar, with the coronavirus
pandemic that visited the country in March, 2020, adding to
the challenges.
The WRC Safari Rally Kenya was supposed to have been
staged last year, but was delayed by a year due to global
concerns over Covid-19.
As a Government, we have had to burn the midnight
oil to ensure Kenyans once again enjoy an event that was
synonymous with the Easter holidays in the years of yore.
Our sustained and resilient efforts have culminated in this Rally interaction.
year’s championship scheduled for June 24 to 27. Kenya will also reap big from sports tourism, with
At the moment, the attention of the motorsport fan- volunteers, spectators, technical officials, and team staff
base around the globe is on Kenya with millions of people being deployed in various facets of the event.
expected to catch the high-octane action on live television. Over the past six years, the WRC has enjoyed a sound
Kenya hosted the first WRC event in the region in 1973, growth trend in popularity with new TV technology which
starting as a manufacturer’s championship and later a has grown its broadcast hours and audiences to desirable
drivers’ championship in 1976. levels.
The last World Rally Championship Safari Rally was hosted Last year alone, a total of 4.1 million spectators attended
in 2002. the 14 WRC events.
As you all know, Kenya has always been a rally country with Since 2013, TV broadcast grew by 140 percent from
the Safari Rally having the enviable record of being one of the 5916.39 hours to 14,208.22 hours.
oldest motorsports competitions, running consistently since Social media communications grew by 400 percent up
1953. from 1.13 million to 3.9 million impressions.
The essence, at the end of the day, is to run an event that It is gratifying to see Kenya jump onto such opportunities
will see Kenya showcased as a preferred tourist destination through the Safari Rally.
as well as providing a market for Kenyan products. Finally, allow me to thank colleagues in Government,
With a cumulative global TV audience of 825 million the Safari Rally secretariat, motorsport community, the
and 15 billion online impressions, Kenya is set to benefit Naivasha and Nakuru County business community, sponsors
immensely from Safari Rally’s World Rally Championship - including KCB, Toyota Kenya, Kenya Airways, Safaricom and
status. Magical Kenya among others - for keeping the Safari Rally
The inclusion of the rally in the WRC Series couldn’t have fire burning.
come at a better time when the country is preparing to host Let’s all enjoy this iconic competition!
the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in August at
Kasarani. Message from Mr Joe Okudo, Principal Secretary,
The readmission of the Safari Rally into the 14-leg WRC State Department of Sports
schedule is a major boost for sports tourism and the general
growth of the sport in the country.
Economically, we estimate at least Sh6 billion will be
pumped into the Kenyan economy from direct WRC Safari

8| THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Message
by one year following the global outbreak of the Covid-19
pandemic.
The country’s tourism industry is set to benefit immensely
from WRC’s cumulative global TV audience of over 800 million
viewers, including on-site spectators, online video views through
social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and
YouTube.
In a nutshell, Kenyans can now look forward to the future with
great expectation, thanks to the country’s fairytale return to the
World Rally Championship after a 19-year hiatus!
The amount of excitement that has been associated with
the event since September, 2019, when FIA President Jean Todt
announced the Safari’s comeback is just out of this world.
Given the Safari Rally’s elaborate logistical facet, Naivasha, the
principal venue for the event, has undergone a major face-lift on
its infrastructure.
The fast-growing hospitality industry, recent re-carpeting of
Moi South Lake Road, a state-of-the-art asphalt Service Park
and, most importantly, the timely upgrade of the Naivasha Level
5 Hospital are some of the milestones associated with the WRC
Safari Rally.
Kenya ready for the Kenya’s long standing motor rallying heritage and the
commercial value, which comes with the hosting of a WRC, is

world,come sample
there for everyone to see.
That is why I’m urging all Kenyans, and especially the
hospitality players, to bolster service delivery in a bid to leverage

our hospitality on direct revenues the local community will celebrate as a result
of hosting the event.
The event has attracted top-notch WRC manufacture teams
thus — Toyota Gazoo Racing, M-Sport Ford, and Hyundai

T
HIS WEEK, we are witnessing one of Kenya’s proudest Motorsport WRT - and we all know what that means.
moments. Finally, I want to sincerely thank our Patron, President
The journey to get the Safari Rally back onto the World and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, His
Rally Championship (WRC) calendar has been long and quite Excellency President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, for personally
challenging. overseeing and supervising the Safari Rally project to its joyous
Today, we are on the threshold of history as we deliver Kenya’s conclusion.
heritage event back to the world after a 19-year absence. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Sports, Culture and
When I first mentioned my dream to have the Safari Rally Heritage, under Cabinet Secretary Amb. (Dr.) Amina Mohamed,
back onto the global, WRC calendar, many doubting Thomases and Principal Secretary Joe Okudo, for holding our hand
dismissed the idea as “crazy.” throughout the process.
However, it has been one step at a time and, finally, the hour I can’t forget our main sponsors KCB Bank Kenya, Toyota
has come. Kenya, Kenya Airways, Safaricom and Magical
I can’t wait to see our Head of State Kenya, among others, for coming to our rescue
and Commander-in-Chief of the financially and ensuring the project remained
Kenyan Defence Forces, His Excellency afloat despite the Covid-19 challenges.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, preside This being a three-year project, I hope our
over the ceremonial flag-off of the Kenya’s long standing sponsors will walk with us all the way as we seek
cars from the Kenyatta International motor rallying to revive the old good days of Safari.
Convention Centre (KICC).
heritag e an d th e Let’s all savour the moment!
The three-day competition will
commercia l va lu e, Message from Mr Phineas Kimathi, CEO,
revolve around Lake Naivasha and Lake th e WRC Safari Rally Kenya
Elementaita within the renowned Great which comes with
Rift’s ecosystem, offering an enviable hosting of a WRC, is
platform for us to showcase our there for everyone to
touristic offerings to the world. see.
The Safari Rally was scheduled to
make a comeback to the FIA WRC
calendar in July, 2020, but was deferred

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY |9

 Message
We have faced and
cleared many hurdles
I
T WAS OUR ENDEAVOUR to scale great heights,
right from the conception of the WRC Safari Rally
Project three years ago.
And now that the FIA World Rally Championship
(WRC) objective has been achieved, Kenya is going
to stage a world-class event showcase following
invaluable support from the event’s Patron, His
Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, and the
Jim Kahumbura Government, volunteers, technical officials, WRC
Event Director
Promoter experts and, above all, the goodwill of the
Kenyan people.
We have faced and cleared many hurdles,
including the unexpected Covid-19 pandemic
which deferred the WRC Safari Rally last year to the
present date.
Despite these hiccups, all departments
continued working using 2020 datelines.
Today I am a very happy man to hear the sweet
sound of the first sleek World Rally Car roar off the
iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre
(KICC) in the heart of Nairobi for the start of the
four days’ competition, the first bringing together
of a stellar cast on the African continent.
From a competition perspective, Africa has
10 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
never seen this level of competition, engineering
excellence, and sleek organisational acumen we
have laid out as we welcome the visitors.
We have worked tirelessly from the Rally
Secretariat in Nairobi and the theatre of operation
in Naivasha, 90 kilometres west of the capital.
This required a seamless operation we
orchestrated, right from the beginning, ranging
from technical, communication, security and
protocol.
In addition, we have worked harmoniously
with all government departments and county
authorities.
Our ultimate goal is to pass this examination and
become a permanent fixture on the World Rally
Championship calendar, now, tomorrow, and in
future.
The WRC Safari Rally has also offered Kenyan
young drivers a bridge to the general gap which
was created by our absence at the highest level of
competition.
Thank you all and welcome to Kenya.
Jim Kahumbura,
Event Director
 Message
Our dream of reclaiming our national
sporting heritage has been fulfilled
T
HE SAFARI RALLY has been an intrinsic part of
the sporting history of East Africa.
It was first held from the 27 May to the 1
June, 1953, as the East African Coronation Safari,
running through Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika,
as a celebration of the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth II.
Gurvir Bhabra Some 20 years later, in 1973, the East African
Clerk of Course
Safari Rally became the Safari Rally and joined the
World Rally Championship series.
The Safari Rally ran successfully as one of the
toughest rallies of the World Rally Championship
from 1973 (with Shekhar Mehta and Lofty Drews
guiding their Datsun 240 Z to victory) to 2002 and
a famous victory for Colin McRae and Nicky Grist in
a Ford Focus on the 50th Edition of the event.
The year 2003 saw the exit of the Safari Rally
from the WRC, and was off the circuit for the next
17 years.
But in July, 2019, the 67th edition of the Safari
Rally was run as a WRC Candidate Rally, with the
anticipatory hopes of a nation clinging on for a
successful re-entry into what is today’s premier
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
motorsport series, watched and followed by
hundreds of millions of eager fans around the
world.
On 27 September, 2019, the Safari Rally was
readmitted into the WRC series calendar, starting
with the 2021 rally.
Today, I am proud and honored to say that the
endless months of relentless work put in by the
organising team has come to fruition.
Our dream of reclaiming our national sporting
heritage has been fulfilled.
This journey back to the WRC has been
magnanimously supported by the tireless and
patient efforts of our mentors from the FIA and
the WRC Promoter, under some of the most
challenging situations.
And so, finally, here we are today where we
rightly belong: As a glorious round of the World
Rally Championship.
Kenya welcomes you to the 2021 World Rally
Championship, and to the 2021 WRC Safari Rally!
Gurvir Bhabra, Clerk of Course
| 11

We are here! World champs
Ogier, Tanak land in Kenya
By PETER NJENGA
W
HEN CELEBRATED world
champions Ott Tanak and
Sebastian Ogier landed at
the Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport on a private jet at dusk
last Thursday, it finally dawned of
Kenyan rally fans that, indeed, the
WRC Safari Rally is real.
This is the first time in 19 years
for world rally champions to land on
African soil for a round of the World
Rally Championship.
Seven times World rally champion
Ogier says he is eager to add the
Safari Rally title to his list of wins.
Ogier who will be making his
debut in Africa for Toyota Gazoo
Racing WRT arrived in Nairobi
on private jet accompanied by
his Hyundai Motorsport WRT
counterpart Ott Tanak who is also
the 2019 world champion.
Ogier said tyres will play a major
role in Safari supremacy battles
given nature of the tough Kenyan
terrain.
“I’m overly excited to be here in
Kenya where I will be rallying for the
first time. To my fans, stay safe, we
will try our level best to deliver the
Safari title,” Ogier said.
Estonia Tanak who has had a bad
season said: “it’s always a great
feeling to try out new terrain. We
are giving this one out best shot
following our retirement in Italy.
Above all, we are looking forward to
the Safari adventure.”
The Safari Rally’s journey to the
World Rally Championships has
been a long and challenging one.
It reached a crucial stage on June
21, 2018, when the government
of Kenya and the International
Motorsport Federation (FIA) inked
a Promoter Agreement to host the
2019 Africa Rally Championship
12 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Starsarrive
Safari Rally as an FIA Candidate
Event (CE).
A Candidate Event, according to
FIA statutes, is granted to a country
wishing to join the FIA World Rally
Championship (WRC), a high-profile
sporting event with a global TV
reach of over 886 million viewers,
including guaranteed 10 million
in WRC + monthly subscribers
channel.
Representing the Kenya
Government was then Sports
Ministry Principal Secretary Peter
Kaberia.
For the FIA was its commercial
rights holder, WRC Promoter’s then
Managing Director Oliver Ciesla.
For Kenya, whose journey to WRC
started in 2016, rules were very
elaborate.
One, unlike the pre-2002 Safari
where the high octane event was
held in open roads, with disregard to
the safety of fans and competitors,
modern-day racing put safety for
former and later a priority.
The reason? A modern rally
machine, called a World Rally Car,
a piece retailing for about Ksh100
million, is purpose-built to peak at
100kph in around 3 seconds.
Everything can happen.
So fans should be off the rally
route at least 90 feet away.
It should be marshaled by
trained route restrictors, assisted
by disciplined forces, in total 2000
people.
This achieved from the
intervention of the Office of the
President which seconded Police
Commissioner Julius Kabiru to the
Candidate Event in 2019 with a lean
team of 300. The 2021 rally will peak
to 2,000 in a 400-kilometre route.
Two, the WRC has evolved into a
media-driven event, encapsulating
digital cutting edge technology
where racing is inching close to
Formula One-like live TV coverage.
WRC Promoter decreed that at
least two telcos provide its 50 TV
crews with cutting edge technology
for the team will fly one filming
chopper and several drones during
the Safari for live streaming via
high-speed internet.
Images must be transmitted to
London editing studios before being
beamed worldwide in via WRC+ in
real-time.
Three, will Kenya assure the
security of participants in a volatile
region amidst Al Shabaab attacks?
This has been discussed and
everything secured.
Four, was Kenya capable to
accommodate at least 1,200
high-end visitors in five-
star establishments for the
manufacturing teams from Ford,
Toyota and Hyundai, supported by
“B” teams from above including
Skoda?
The WRC Safari Rally team has
reached out to all high-end hotels,
and WRC Promoter inspected
and affirmed availability, plus
accommodation of over 100,000
expected visitors in Naivasha,
Nairobi, and Nakuru.
Five, could the old-style five-day
Safari be shrunk into a three-
day rally based within a radius
of 100kms, run on closed roads,
preferably on private farms because
of safety marshalling and TV?
It took a lot of consideration
before organisers settled on Nakuru
County, and especially Naivasha
because of the availability of private
farms and accommodation.
Unlike the gun-to-tape Safari
across Kenya, a modern-day WRC
Safari demands a loop, repeated
twice in a day of action because of
global TV.
Starsarrive

“Welcome to Kenya.
Your arrival signals
that the bell to the
start of the toughest
rally in the world has
been rang. We look
forward to a very
exciting event.”
C.S. Amina Mohamed

Seven-time world rally champion

Sebastien Ogier takes a selfie with
ushers upon arrival at the Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 13

 Amina Mohamed in FIA’s
World Motor Sport Council
BY ELIAS MAKORI
O
NE OF THE MOST memorable
moments for Kenyan motorsport in
2020 was Sports Cabinet Secretary
Amina Mohamed’s election into the World
Motor Sport Council, a key governance
organ of the International Automobile
Federation (FIA).
The vote was conducted at the FIA’s
World Motor Sport Council meeting held
on Friday.
FIA secretary general Peter Bayer and
Kenya Motor Sports Federation President
Phineas Kimathi congratulated Amina on
her appointment.
“I would like to extend my sincere
congratulations on today’s election. I am
very proud and honored to be working
with you as a World Motor Sport Council
Member,” Bayer said.
Kimathi, who is also the World Rally
Championship Safari Rally Chief Executive
Officer, said Amina’s appointment “is a
great honour to the country, especially
with the Safari Rally returning to the World
14 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Rally Championship circuit in 2021.”
“I wish to congratulate Amb. (Dr)
Mohamed on her election to this key organ
of the FIA. This shows the confidence
global motorsport has in Kenya, and this
development will hold us in good stead
as we prepare to return to the World Rally
Championship fold next year,” Kimathi
said.
“I would like to thank the FIA President
Jean Todt and his team for the confidence
that they continue to show in Kenya and
for their support,” Kimathi added.
“It behooves us to deliver a spectacular
WRC Safari Rally next year, and I’d like to
assure Kenyans and the world in general
that we are way ahead of schedule in
preparations for the 2021 WRC Safari
Rally,” Kimathi added.
Besides being Safari Rally CEO,
Kimathi also sits on the FIA’s World Rally
Championship Commission as one of six
representatives of organisers.
Amina said her election underscored the
importance of Kenya on the global sports
management landscape.
“This recognition is not an individual
one, but collectively represents Kenya’s
and Africa’s ambition to get more involved
in the management of global sport which
will, in turn, translate to development of
sport on the continent, in general.
“I would like to thank His Excellency
President Uhuru Kenyatta for the support
he has accorded sport, and his particular
interest in ensuring the successful return
of the iconic Safari Rally into the World
Rally Championship calendar.”
Founded in 1904 with its headquarters
in Paris, the FIA represents 243
international motoring and sporting
organisations from 146 countries across
five continents.
Besides the World Motor Sport Council,
the other main administrative organ of the
FIA is the World Council for Automobile
Mobility and Tourism.
The World Motor Sport Council is
charged with the responsibility to handle
all aspects of international motor sport
and meets at least four times a year to
decide on rules, regulations, safety and
development of motor sport at every level
from karting to Formula One.
It is chaired by the FIA President
with the organogram including the
Deputy President for Sport, seven Vice-
Presidents, 14 titular members and five

members by right.
The members by right are the
President of the Women in Motor Sport
Commission, the President of the
International Karting Commission, the
representative of the Commercial Rights
Holder of the F1 World Championship,
the President of the FIA Manufacturers’
Commission and the President of the FIA
Driver’s Commission.
The WMSC, in its administration
of international motor sport,
prioritises improvements in safety and
environmental standards across all forms
of the sport, adopts common regulations
Highlights
across the various series, and nurtures
motor sport’s roots by developing all forms
of the sport, especially among the young
and in developing countries.
Amina’s election on Friday came just a
day after she lost the race for the World
Trade Organisation’s Director-General’s
position to Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
and South Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo
Myung-hee.
Okonjo-Iweala and Myung-hee will fight
on the final stage for appointment to the
Geneva-based trade body.
Additional reporting by WRC Safari
Rally
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
The current membership of the FIA’s
World Motor Sports Council is:
Jean Todt (France) – FIA President,
Graham Stoker (Great Britain) – FIA
Deputy President (Sport),
Vice Presidents:
José Abed (Mexico), Mohammed Ben
Sulayem (United Arab Emirates), Carlos
Garcia Remohi (Argentina), Angelo Sticci
Damiani (Italy), Surinder Thatthi (Cote
d’ Ivoire), Hermann Tomczyk (Germany),
Heping Wan (China)
Titular members:
Manuel Avi (Spain), Garry Connelly
(Australia), François CORNELIS (Belgium),
Dennis Dean (USA), Nicolas Deschaux
(France), Michel Ferry (Monaco), Zrinko
Gregurek (Yugoslavia), Victor Kiryanov
(Russia), Hugo Mersan (Paraguay), Koichi
Murata (Japan), Gautam Singhania
(India), Vincenzo Spano (Venezuela),
Serkan Yazici (Turkey).
Other members are:
Michèle Mouton (France, President of
the Women in Motorsport Commission),
Chase Carey (Ireland, Formula One
Group), Mattia Binotto (Italy, President
of the FIA Manufacturers’ Commission),
Tom Kristensen (President of the Drivers’
Commission), Felipe Massa (Brazil, CIK
President).
| 15
 Introduction
Opinion
STEERING COMMITTEE: John Kimanthi Maingi
Chairperson: Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Biko Gwendo
Culture and Heritage Surinder Thatti, FIA Liaison
Vice-Chairperson: Principal Secretary, State Hellen Kagendo Shiri, FIA Certified Event Secretary
Department of Sports Development Stanley Kanyago, Accountant
Secretary : Chief Executive Officer, Organizing Amb. Christopher Chika
Committee Mr. Eric Kipkorir Rep-Ministry of Interior and Co-
Members : Principal Secretary, National Treasury and Ordination of National Govt
Planning Ms. Florence Amoit Secretary Administration-State
Principal Secretary, State Department of Culture and Dept for Sports
Heritage Mr. Pius Metto Director General-Sports Kenya
Principal Secretary, State Department of Tourism Mr. Patrick Muchai Rep-National Youth Service
Principal Secretary, State Department of Wildlife Mr. Francis Theuri Director General-Automobile
Principal Secretary, State Department of Transport Association of Kenya
Principal Secretary, State Department of Maritime and Ms. Betty Radier Chief Executive Officer-Kenya
Shipping Affairs Tourism Board
Andrew Wakahiu, Mr. Julius Kabiru Chief Security Officer-WRC Safari
Joshua Oigara, Group CEO (KCB) Rally Kenya
James Muiruri Kahumbura, (Director, KMSF) Ms. Rose Wachuka Chief Of Staff-Ministry of
Jaswant Singh Rai Sports,Culture & Heritage
Andrew Mukite Musangi Mr. John Maingi Kimanthi Director-Kenya Railways
Phineas Kimathi (ex-officio) Mr. Biko Gwendo Economist/Board -Tourism Fund
Mr. Surinder Thatthi FIA Liasion
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Ms. Hellen K. Shiri Event Secretary-WRC Safari Rally
Chairperson: Phineas Kimathi Muriithi Kenya
Mr. Stanley Kanyago Former Accountant-Ministry of
MEMBERS Sports
Representatives : Ministry of Interior and Co- Amb. Christopher Chika Former-Ministry Of Foreign
ordination of National Government Secretary, Affairs Diplomacy Dept
Administration,
State Department for Sports Development
Director-General, Sports Kenya
Director-General, National Youth Service
Director-General/CEO, Automobile Association of
Kenya
Chief Executive Officer, Magical Kenya
Julius M. Kabiru,
Rose Wachuka Macharia,

ppy man to hear the

“Today, I am a very ha
st sleek World Rally
sweet sound of the fir l
Kenyatta Internationa
Car roar off the iconic ICC) in the hear t
Convention Centre (K
start of the four days’
of Nairobi for the a
bringing together of
competition, the first co ntinent.”
rican
stellar cast on the Af
- Jim Kahumbura
 Keymilestone
20 FIA President Jean Todt 20 The WRC Safari
15 accompanied by Kenya 17 Rally Project is
Motor Sport Federation given office space at
Spt.

Dec.
directors Phineas Kasarina Stadium
Kimathi and Jassy Rai by the Ministry of
meets President Uhuru Sports and Heritage.
Kenyatta at State
House Nairobi

20 Kenya Motor Sport

20
FIA President Jean
16 Federation Chairman
18
Todt meets President
Phineas Kimathi Uhuru Kenyatta at
Jul. 5

attends FIA Sports
Conference in Turin
Italy, holds FIA
President Jean Todt
and WRC Promoter
Managing Director
20 Kimathi presents WRC
17 Safari Rally Project
Proposal Concept Note
Mar.
Feb 27
State House Nairobi
and later opens the
WRC Safari Rally
Project secretariat at
Kasarani Stadium.
20 Sports and Heritage
18 Principal Secretary
Amb. Peter Kaberia
June

to the Parliamentary on behalf of the

Committee on Sports, Kenya Government
Labour and Tourism and WRC Promoter
which is positively signs the Promoter
accepted. Agreement in Paris,

20 Government allocates 20 WRC Promoter

17 Ksh250 million grant 19 seconds Iain
as seed money to kick Campbell of Britain
March
May

start the WRC Safari and Jarmo Lehtinen

Rally Project. of Finland to come
and work with the
WRC Safari Rally
Project Sporting

20 FIA sends WRC 20 President Uhuru

19 Candidate Event 19 Kenyatta flags off the
Safety Delegate 66th Safari Rally at
Dec.

Michelle Mouton to Kasarani Stadium

May

review the 2019/20 and watches action

WRC Safari Rally at the Super Special
routes. Stage.

20 WRC Candidate 20 President Uhuru

19 Event Safari Rally 19 Kenyatta meets with
FIA President Jean
is held in Nairobi,
Augst.
Jul. 5-7

Kiambu and Nakuru Todt in Kingston,

Counties. Ciesla says Jamaica where they
Kenya has fullfilled by discussed the future
conditions set by the of the Safari Rally and
WRC Promoter but road safety issues.
adds that FIA will also

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 17

 Keymilestone
AGREEMENT SIGNING

18 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 O
The Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage,
Amb. (Dr) Amina Mohamed and Principal Secretary
for Sports, Mr Joe Okudo,on behalf of the Ministry,
all its agencies, staff and stakeholders,
wishes all the drivers, crews, officials and fans
an enjoyable WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2021!

#Twendekazi!

AL DEVE
SOCI LO
S& PM
RT
EN
A
S,

TF
RT

UN
SPO

SA
SDF

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 19

 Organization
SPORTING & EVENT
ORGANIZATION
Phineas Kimathi Jim Kahumbura Surinder Thatti
ASN President Event Director FIA Vice President

Gurvir Bhabra George Mwangi Nazir Yakub Onkar Singh Kalsi George Njoroge
Clerk of Course Deputy Clerk Of Course Deputy-Clerk-of Course Assistant Clerk of Course Assistant Clerk of Course

Julius M. Kabiru Prof. Rajwinder Jutley Sukhdev Chager Anthony Gatei Viralsinh Jadeja
Chief Security Officer Chief Medical Officer Assistant Clerk of Course Service Park manager Rally HQ manager

Joan Nesibit Anwar Sidi Thomas Kibuthu Eng. Chris Eden Rose Wachuka
Competitor Relations Media Safety and Route Deputy Chief Secuity officer Assistant Clerk of Course Organising Committee
Officer (local) member, Chief of Staff,
Ministry of Sports

John Kamau Hellen Kagendo Dr. David Karuri Norris Ongalo Abbas Ali Murbe
ASN Steward Event Secretary Deputy Chief Medical Chief Safety Officer Deputy Chief Safety Officer
Officer

Jimmy Wahome Wambui Kiiru Musa Locho Anita Eden

Competitor Relations Steward Secretary Peris Wairimu Njoroge
Chief Scrutineer Rally Headquaters
Officer (foreign)Officer Chief Environment Officer
Communication Manager
20 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
 Comittee
SECRETARIAT

Phineas Kimathi Jim Kahumbura Hellen K. Shiri Julias Kabiru Patrick Opembe
Chief Executive Officer Event Secretary Chief Security Officer Logistics & Transport
Event Director Manager

Peter Njenga Anthony Gatei Mwaura Njuguna

Media Director Service Park Manager George Mwangi Faith S. Wathome KMSF Representative
Deputy Clerk Of Course Head of Hospitality

Jane Gatere Stella Mirangi Steve Gitonga John Kogo Linus

Procurement Procurement Accountant. Finance Officer ICT Project Coordinator

Ruth Muthui Sophie Kinoti Ivy Kaburu Tutayo Sironka William Kabugi
Communication Officer Greening Legacy Project Human Resource Media Research
PA to CEO Manager
Manager

Samson Mutuma Elias Marete Musa Hamdhan Juliana Peter Daniel Mwangi
Security Support Support
Support Support

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 21

 Opinion
There was no
“There was no magic.
s th er e was a constant
inspiration… What wa required a special
at
prodding of things th
m ina to sta y on course… A
kind of sta
ts, led by the never-
combination of effor
ou r team leader, WRC
say-die mentality of
as Kimathi, backed by
Safari Rally CEO Phine
other than our Patron,
the goodwill of none i
esident Uhuru Muiga
His Excellency the Pr orts
efatigable Sp
Kenyatta, and the ind Amina Mohamed,
, Am b. Dr .
Cabinet Secretary s into the state of
of th e wo od
saw us out
br e this week as we
ac
celebration that we em back to Kenya.”
welcome the world lly
Director WRC Safari Ra
– Peter Njenga, Media
Kenya

GLORIOUS THROWBACK
1953 to present, Safari lives on

22 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Genesis
Miss Safari: She is reborn
Sipping some beer at a local
Cecil aka Mr. Safari became vocal
67 years back (1953) it was
We were not free yet!
“Why don’t we celebrate the
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth with a
rally?” he asked
And with that she was born
And named East Africa Coronation
Safari!
And like in the wild, she was on her feet
in no time
Seven years later
She blew up with fame
And foreign drivers came
She even got another name
The East Africa Safari!
Local drivers always kept her home
Away from the foreigners
Till her 20th birthday
When the late Hannu Mikkola escorted
her abroad
In his Ford Escort Rs 1600
She soon was in her 22nd edition
Where she changed her name to Safari
Rally
She was indeed grown
She was the toughest
Known for tyre torture
She was hot!
And she mastered the art of shocking
shocks
Suspending suspensions and taming
the best
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Even when wet
She was truly hard to get
Suitors flew in as drivers
And manufacturers
They made comments
That winning her was equivalent to
winning three other events
They labelled those who never won her
as ‘PAPER WINNERS’
For she was never meant for the faint
hearted
She even got sponsors!
And I remember how in the eighties,
Marlboro took charge
Making her smoking hot!
Giving the drivers a crazy head rush!
As they really rushed for her, their
crush
While avoiding to crash!
But on her 50th birthday
After the event
Missing she went!
Out of WRC!
Her fame gone
And the foreigners gone
But she still had her name back home!
Now she is back!
With the President’s luck!
Get your calendars marked
Let’s go to the track
And celebrate her being back!
Her rebirth!
Who is going to take her out?
TWENDENI SAFARI RALLY!
- Lawrence Ndungu Kiende(Rally Poet)
@rally poet
| 23
 Introduction
WELCOME TO WRC SAFARI RALLY
Rich part of Kenyan heritage is back
W
HEN THE SAFARI RALLY was last held as a round
of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2002,
Hyundai Motorsport World Rally Team driver Oliver
Solberg was an eight-month-old baby in diapers and
Brazilian football star Neymar Jnr was a 10-year-old playing
kick-about football in Sao Paulo.
Elias Makori When the Safari Rally was last on the global calendar,
Head of Pope Francis was at the time a freshly-named Cardinal
Communications Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina and the BlackBerry
– WRC Safari Rally
Kenya;
phone had just been invented.
National Press Officer In summary, it has taken a lifetime for the Safari Rally to
– WRC Safari Rally get back onto the global grid.
Kenya 2021
Thanks to tremendous efforts, led by none other than
Kenya’s Head of State, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Sports
Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and the Kenyan
motorsport leadership headed by the WRC Safari Rally CEO
Phineas Kimathi, the 19-year-old dream has finally come
true.
When the 58 cars roll off the ramp at the Kenyatta
International Convention Centre to signal the start of the
WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2021, Kenyans will be celebrating
the return of an important piece of national heritage.
At WRC Safari Rally Media Operations, we have been
burning the midnight oil to ensure that journalists covering
the rally enjoy a flawless media service.
High speed internet, both WiFi and LAN, has been tried
and tested, and all Covid-19 protocols are in place to ensure
a safe working environment for local and foreign media.
First class catering and accommodation will also help
Safari Rally Car No. 21
of Heche and March
make media teams comfortable throughout rally week, and
pushed from mud in even after.
the Usumbaras during Also, high-level security operations are in place to ensure
the 1968 rally.
all members of media go on with their professional duties
24 | 24THE
| THE
2021
2021
WRC
WRC
SAFARI
SAFARI
RALLY
RALLY
without any fears.
I’d like to thank both the FIA and WRC for the support
they have given us at media operations, especially through
guidance from Vera Dussausaye, the FIA Communications
Manager for Rally and WRC Media Delegate, and also
Miguel Fonseca, who has been assigned to assist at
International Press Officer by WRC Promoter.
To fellow media colleagues, don’t hesitate to contact
the WRC Safari Rally media offices which will be located
at the Media Centre, right inside the heart of the rally at
the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute in Naivasha.
Kenyan sports journalism is well known for its vibrancy and
reporting the Safari Rally as a World Rally Championship
round will be an exciting experience especially for the young
journalists who haven’t interacted with a WRC event.
To the foreign journalists, Karibu Kenya!
It’s not all work, so please take time off for some play
by sampling some of Kenya’s world-famous touristic
destinations and grab this chance to see the “big five” and
our pristine beaches.
The Kenya Tourism Board has been gracious enough to
offer 20 free packages for the first 20 foreign journalists to
visit a national park or game reserve of choice.
To our beloved fans and spectators, kindly embrace
Covid-19 protocols, observe all rally rules and
regulations, and please keep law and order.
We rely on an orderly spectator base to trumpet
the successes of the Safari Rally, Africa’s premier
motorsport competition, which is also the world’s
toughest rally. I hope you all enjoy covering this
historic WRC round.
Enjoy the ride!

Safari has injected new
life into the country
T
HE ‘SPORTING’ aspect of the
Safari historically gripped Kenyans
to unbelievable levels. From all
walks of life, they cheered the drivers
in the grueling long race; their eyes
and emotional attention fixed on who
would conquer the trail, often up to
5,000km long. ALL those that came
to the finishing ramp were heroes/
heroines, including the ‘Tail-End-
Charlie’.
Now the World Rally Championship
(WRC) Safari Rally version is around
600km; short stages, longest 30km,
run over three days. But, believe me,
they are mighty tough to get through.
Basically, to the Safari fan, in this
Introduction
competition, it’s all about THEM
(overseas professionals) versus US
(home drivers). The supremely superior-
in-performance Toyota, Hyundai and
Ford teams will be a marvel to watch,
but a lot of Wananchi do really want to
see which part of Naivasha country will
tame some of these super sportsmen.
Will it be at ‘Sleeping Warrior’, Kedong’,
Malewa or Soysambu that some of the
foreign legion “will come a cropper’?
While HOME’s own Carl Tundo ‘flashes’
through, steady Baldev ‘Boldy’ Chager
comfortably eases to the finish or young
Hamza Anwar coolly negotiates past
where only the fiercest eagles dare?
In the build-up, Safari Rally Chief
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
The supremely
superior-in-
,
performance Toyota
Hyundai and Ford w ill
,
be a marvel to watch
i
but a lot of Wananch
do really wan t to
see which part of
Naivasha country will
tame some of these
super sportsmen.
Executive officer, has variously
outlined the impact the world status
of the event has made on Kenya.
Indeed, he is right. The ‘Sporting’
news has been rivalled by the
highlighting of Kenya as a unique
country. A country in the world-lead
on conservation (world life, eco-
system), tourism, fishing, agriculture
(flowers), renewable energy generation
(geothermal) retail and large export
trade and transport (road and modern
rail). This scenario, in Naivasha,
Nakuru County, is the play-ground of
the Safari sport.
East African neighbours Rwanda
were recently hosts of the exciting
big-time Basketball African League
launched by America’s NBA (National
Basketball League). The Safari is
back in Kenya, set to spark debate as
to who is set to be bigger on a world
stage, The BAL or the WRC Safari Rally.
- Gishinga Njoroge, Editor-In-Chief
| 25

The Oldest: Zasada makes Safari
Rally comeback - aged 91!
N
INETY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Sobieslaw
Zasada will tackle this week’s
Safari Rally Kenya (24 - 27 June) –
24 years after his last competitive rally
start.
The Pole will drive a Ford Fiesta Rally3
run by M-Sport Poland on the gruelling
African encounter, which returns to the
FIA World Rally Championship following
a 19-year absence.
He will become the oldest competitor
to start a WRC round in championship
history.
Zasada’s last rally was the 1997
Safari when he finished 12th alongside
his wife, Ewa, in a Mitsubishi Lancer.
That was his eighth start in the Kenyan
classic and his ninth will be no less
competitive.
“He is not going there just to drive
26 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Determination
through,” promised M-Sport Poland
managing director Maciej Woda.
“Sobielsaw has great memories of the
Safari and wanted to go back to the rally
to see what it looks like now.”
Zasada finished second in the 1972
Safari driving a Porsche 911S, in a rally
won by Hannu Mikkola.
During a long and distinguished
career, he won the European Rally
Championship three times in 1966,
1967 and 1971 and finished runner-up
on three more occasions. Much of his
career pre-dated the launch of the
FIA World Rally Championship in 1973
and the holder of the European title
was regarded as the de facto world
champion.
He tested his Fiesta for the first time
in Kenya on Sunday.
“He was thinking about doing the
Safari last year but obviously it didn’t
happen due to Covid-19. He is a very
active person and fit for his age so I
really hope everything will go well for
him,” Woda added.
The pair have a long history. As a
teenager growing up in Poland with
his sights set on a motor racing future,
Woda tried to contact Zasada, who
went on to become one of the country’s
most successful businessmen after his
driving career ended.
“I kept telephoning him twice a
day, every day, for five months,” Woda
recalls. “After five months I finally got to
meet him and he gave me some great
advice.”
The four-day Naivasha-based event
has 58 entries.
 Determination

Adrien Fourmaux will drive M-Sport Ford’s second

Fiesta World Rally Car for the third time instead of
Teemu Suninen. The Frenchman finished fifth on a
stunning debut in Croatia before claiming sixth last
weekend in Portugal.
Lorenzo Bertelli starts his second WRC round of
the year in another M-Sport Ford-entered Fiesta,
while Dani Sordo has been given the nod in Hyundai
Motorsport’s third i20 World Rally Car.
Suninen reverts to a Fiesta Rally 2 in WRC2, where
he will face opposition from Toksport duo Andreas
Mikkelsen and Marco Bulacia, as well as Martin
Prokop’s similar Fiesta.
Kenyan drivers form the bulk of the six-car
WRC3 field, headed by Onkar Rai and Carl Tundo,
who finished second overall in 2019. Both drive
Volkswagen Polo GTIs. Also on the start list is 2019
winner Baldev Chager in a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoX.
(Courtesy WRC.com)

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 27

 Teams
TOYOTA
GAZOO
RACING
ENGINE
Type: Turbo
No. cilinders: 4 in line
Capacity: 1.6L
Power: Over 380 cv
Torque: Over 425 Nm
TRANSMISSION
Drive: 4WD
Gearbox: 6 speed sequential
Clutch: Double Plate
Dif.: Mechanical front and rear
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated discs 300 mm
Rear: Ventilated discs 300 mm
SUSPENSION
Front and Rear: McPherson
WHEELS AND TYRES
Gravel: Pirelli 7x15”
DIMENSIONS
L-W-H (mm): 4.085-1.875-n.a.
Wheelbase: 2.511 mm
Track width: Adjustable
Weight: 1.190 kg
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING
Team Principal: Jari-Matti Latvala
Headquarters: Japan
Web: http://toyotagazooracing.com/wrc/
Twitter: @TGR_WRC

28 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Teams
Sébastien Ogier Elfyn Evans
(France, Gap, 17/12/1983) (Great Britain, Dolgellau, Gales/Wales, 28.12.1988)
Instagram: @sebogier Instagram: @elfynevans
Twitter: @SebOgier Twitter: @ElfynEvans
Facebook: /sebastien.ogier Facebook: /ElfynEvansRally
Starts: 160 Starts: 97
Debout WRC: Mexico 2008 Debout WRC: Wales 2007
Wins: 51 Wins: 4
Podiums: 87 Podiums: 15
DNFs: 15 DNFs: 10
Titles WRC: 7 (2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) Best WRC final classification: 2º, 2020
Co-driver: Julian Ingrassia (FRA, 26/11/1979) Co-driver: Scott Martin (GBR, 06/11/1981)
Instagram: @scottymartin__
Instagram:
Twitter: @scottmartinat
Twitter:
Facebook: /scott.martin.566790
Facebook: /julien.ingrassia
Starts: 141
Starts: 160
Debout WRC: Wales 2004
Debout WRC: México/Mexico 2008
Wins: 3
Wins: 51
Podiums: 10
Podiums: 87
DNFs: 21
DNFs: 15
Best WRC final classification: 2º, 2020

Kalle Rovanperä Takamoto Katsuta

(Finland, Jyväskylä, 01.10.2000) (Japão/Japan, Nagoya-shi, Aichi, 13.03.1993)
Instagram: @kallerovanpera Instagram: @takamotokatsuta
Twitter: @KalleRovanpera Twitter: @TakamotoKatsuta
Facebook: /KalleRovanperaRacing Facebook: /takamoto.katsuta
Starts: 31 Starts: 32
Debout WRC: Gales/Wales 2017 Debout WRC: Finland 2016
Wins: 0 Wins: 0
Podiums: 3 Podiums: 0
DNFs: 3 DNFs: 8
Best WRC final classification: 5º, 2020 Best WRC result: 4th Portugal 2021
Navegador/Co-driver: Jonne Halttunen (FIN, 13/12/1985) Best WRC final classification: 13th, 2020
Instagram: @jonnehalttunen Co-driver: Dan Barritt (GBR, 23/08/1980)
Twitter: @JonneHalttunen Twitter: @danielbarritt
Facebook: /jonne.halttunen Facebook: /dan.barritt.3
Starts: 36 Starts: 134
Debout WRC: Finland 2011 Debout WRC: Great Britain 2000
Wins: 0 Wins: 1
Podiums: 2 Podiums: 7
DNFs: 5 DNFs: 30
Best WRC final classification: 5º, 2020 Best WRC final classification: 5º, 2017

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 29

 Teams
HYUNDAI
SHELL MOBIS
WRT
ENGINE
Type: Turbo
No. cilinders: 4 in line
Capacity: 1.6L
Power: 380 cv @6500 rpm
Torque: 450 Nm @5500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
Drive: 4WD
Gearbox: 6 speed sequential
Clutch: Cerametallic twin-disk
Dif.: Mechanical front and rear
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated discs 300 mm
Rear: Ventilated discs 300 mm
SUSPENSION
Front and Rear: McPherson
WHEELS AND TYRES
Gravel: Pirelli 7x15”
DIMENSIONS
L-W-H (mm): 4.100-1.875-n.a.
Wheelbase: 2.570 mm
Track width: 1.665 mm
Weight: 1.190 kg
Depósito combustível/Fuel tank: 80 L
HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS WORLD RALLY TEAM
Team Principal: Andrea Adamo
Headquarters: Alzenau (GER)
Web: www.hyundai-ms.com
Instagram: /HMSGOfficial
Youtube: /HyundaiMotorsport
Tiktok: @HMSGOfficial
Twitter: @HMSGOfficial
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HMSGOfficial

30 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Teams
Ott Tänak Dani Sordo
(Estonia, Kärla Parish, 15/10/1987) (Spain, Torrelavega, 02-05-1983)
Instagram: /otttanak Instagram: /danisordorallye
Twitter: @OttTanak Twitter: @DaniSordo
Facebook: /otttanakfanpage Facebook: /DanielSordo
Starts: 116 Starts: 172
Debout WRC: Portugal 2009 Debout WRC: Catalunya 2003
Wins: 14 Wins: 3
Podiums: 31 Podiums: 49
DNFs: 14 DNFs: 23
Titles WRC: 1 (2019) Titles WRC: 1 (JWRC 2005)
Co-driver: Martin Järveoja (EST, 18/08/1987) Co-driver: Borja Rozada (SPA, 16/09/1981)
Instagram: /martinjarveoja Instagram: /borjarozada
Twitter: -- Twitter: @borjarozada
Facebook: -- Starts: 43
Starts: 87 Debout WRC: Portugal 2007
Debout WRC: Wins: 0
Jordan 2010
Podiums: 1
Wins: 14
DNFs: 9
Podiums: 27
Best WRC final classification: 6th Mexico 2014
DNFs: 13
Titles WRC: 1 (2019)

Thierry Neuville Pierre-Louis Loubet

(Belgium, Sankt Vith, 16-06-1988) (France, 18-02-1997)
Instagram: /thierryneuville Team: Hyundai 2C Competiton
Twitter: @thierryneuville Instagram: /pierrelouisloubet
Facebook: /thierryneuvilleofficial Facebook: PiLouLoubet
Starts: 121 Starts: 43
Debout WRC: Catalunya 2009 Debout WRC: Portugal 2015
Wins: 13 Wins: 0
Podiums: 40 Podiums: 0
DNFs: 16 DNFs: 12
Best WRC final classification: 2nd, 2018 & 2017 Titles WRC: 1 (WRC 2 2019)
Co-driver: Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL, 16/06/1988) Co-driver: Vincent Landais (FRA, 17/10/1991)
Instagram: /mwcodriver Instagram:
Twitter:
Twitter:
Facebook: /vinzz.landais
Facebook: /mwydaeghe
Starts: 48
Starts: 22
Debout WRC: France 2012
Debout WRC: France 2013
Wins: 0
Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Podiums: 3
DNFs: 15
DNFs: 5
Best WRC final classification: 7th, ITA 2020
Best WRC final classification: 3rd Monte Carlo 2021

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 31

 Teams
M-SPORT
FORD
WRT WORLD
RALLY
TEAM

ENGINE
Type: Turbo
No. cilinders: 4 in line
Capacity: 1.6L
Power: 380 cv
Torque: 450 Nm
TRANSMISSION
Drive: 4WD
Gearbox: 6 speed sequential
Clutch: Cerametallic twin-disk
Dif.: Mechanical front and rear
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated discs 300 mm
Rear: Ventilated discs 300 mm
SUSPENSION
Front and Rear: McPherson
WHEELS AND TYRES
Gravel: Pirelli 7x15”
DIMENSIONS
L-W-H (mm): 4.130-1.875-n.a.
Wheelbase: 2.493 mm
Weight: 1.190 kg
M-SPORT FORD WORLD RALLY TEAM
Team Principal: Richard Millener
Headquarters: Bumbria (GBR)
Web: www.m-sport.co.uk
Instagram: @msportltd
Twitter: @MSportLtd
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MSportLtd
Títulos/Titles 4 (1979, 2006, 2007, 2017)

32 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Teams
Gus Greensmith
Adrien Fourmaux
Adrien Fourmaux
(Great Britain, Manchester, 21/12/1996) (France, 03/05/1995)
(Great Britain, Manchester, 21/12/1996) (France, 03/05/1995)
Instagram: @gusgreensmith Instagram: @adrienfourmaux
Instagram: @gusgreensmith Instagram: @adrienfourmaux
Twitter: @GreensmithGus Twitter: @AdrienFourmaux
Twitter: @GreensmithGus Twitter: @AdrienFourmaux
Facebook: /greensmithgus/ Facebook: /AdrienFourmaux18
Facebook: /greensmithgus/ Facebook: /AdrienFourmaux
Starts: 50 Starts: Debout Monte Carlo 2019
Starts: 50 Starts: 18
Debout WRC: Wales (2014) WRC:Wins: 0
Debout WRC: Wales (2014) Debout WRC: Monte Carlo 2019
Wins: 0 Podiums: 0
Wins: 0 Wins: 0
Podiums: 0 DNFs: 1
Podiums: 0 Podiums: 0
DNFs: 11 Best result WRC: 6th Portugal 2021
DNFs: 11 th DNFs: 1
Best result: 5 Turkey 2020
Best result: 5th Turkey 2020 Best result WRC: 6th Portugal 2021
Best WRC final classification: 11th, 2020 Best WRC final classification: 23rd, 2020
Best WRC final classification: 11th, 2020 Best WRC final classification:
Co-driver: 23rd, 2020
Co-driver: Elliott Edmondson (GBR, 29/08/1994)
Co-driver: Elliott Edmondson (GBR, 29/08/1994) Co-driver:
Instagram: Renaud Jamoul (BEL, 10/06/1984)
Instagram: @elliott_edmondson
Instagram: @elliott_edmondson Instagram:
Facebook:
Facebook: /elliott.edmondson
Facebook:
Starts: /elliott.edmondson
32 Facebook:
Starts: 75
Starts:
Debout WRC: 32Wales 2013 Starts:
Debout WRC: 75 Catalunya 2006
Debout
Wins: WRC: Wales
0 2013 Debout
Wins:WRC: Catalunya
0 2006
Wins:
Podiums: 00 Wins:
Podiums: 0 0
Podiums:
DNFs: 08 Podiums:
DNFs: 0 16
DNFs:
Best result: 85th Turkey 2020 DNFs:
Best result WRC: 16 6th Portugal 2021
Best
Bestresult:
WRC final classification:
th
Turkey
511th, 2020
2020 Best result
Best WRC WRC:
final classification: 6th23rd,
Portugal
20202021
Best WRC final classification: 11th, 2020 Best WRC final classification: 23rd, 2020

Lorenzo Bertelli

Instagram: @lorenzo_bertellif.w.r.t61
Starts: Debout Sardegna 2011
WRC:Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
DNFs: 25
Best result WRC: 8th Mexico 2016

Best WRC final classification:

Co-driver:
Instagram: @simoscat
Facebook: @simone.scattolin.7
Starts: 85
Debout WRC: France 2000
Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
DNFs: 28
Best result WRC: 8th Mexico 2016
Best WRC final classification:

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 33

 Entrylist
Count No. Competitor “Driver Nat Car “Class “Priority
Co-Driver” Group” Eligibility”
1 1 TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT “Sebastien OGIER “FRA “TOYOTA “RC1 “P1
Julien INGRASSIA” FRA” Yaris WRC” WRC” M”
2 33 TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT “Elfyn EVANS “GBR “TOYOTA “RC1 “P1
Scott MARTIN” GBR” Yaris WRC” WRC” M”
3 11 “HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS “Thierry NEUVILLE “BEL “HYUNDAI “RC1 “P1
WORLD RALLY TEAM” Martijn WYDAEGHE” BEL” i20 Coupé WRC” WRC” M”
4 8 “HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS “Ott TÄNAK “EST “HYUNDAI “RC1 “P1
WORLD RALLY TEAM” Martin JÄRVEOJA” EST” i20 Coupé WRC” WRC” M”
5 69 TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT “Kalle ROVANPERÄ “FIN “TOYOTA “RC1 “P1
Jonne HALTTUNEN” FIN” Yaris WRC” WRC” M”
6 18 TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT “Takamoto KATSUTA “JPN “TOYOTA “RC1 P1
Daniel BARRITT” GBR” Yaris WRC” WRC”
7 6 “HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS “Dani SORDO “ESP “HYUNDAI “RC1 “P1
WORLD RALLY TEAM” Borja ROZADA” ESP” i20 Coupé WRC” WRC” M”
8 44 “M-SPORT FORD “Gus GREENSMITH “GBR “FORD “RC1 “P1
WORLD RALLY TEAM” Chris PATTERSON” IRL” Fiesta WRC” WRC” M”
9 16 “M-SPORT FORD “Adrien FOURMAUX “FRA “FORD “RC1 “P1
WORLD RALLY TEAM” Renaud JAMOUL” BEL” Fiesta WRC” WRC” M”
10 7 HYUNDAI 2C COMPETITION “Pierre-Louis LOUBET “FRA “HYUNDAI “RC1 “P1
Florian HAUT-LABOURDETTE” FRA” i20 Coupé WRC” WRC” M/T”
11 37 “M-SPORT FORD “Lorenzo BERTELLI “ITA “FORD “RC1 P1
WORLD RALLY TEAM” Simone SCATTOLIN” ITA” Fiesta WRC” WRC”
12 20 TOKSPORT WRT “Andreas MIKKELSEN “NOR “SKODA “RC2 “P2
Ola FLOENE” NOR” Fabia Evo” Rally2” WRC2”
13 21 TOKSPORT WRT “Marco BULACIA “BOL “SKODA “RC2 “P2
Marcelo OHANNESIAN” ARG” Fabia Evo” Rally2” WRC2”
14 22 “M-SPORT FORD “Teemu SUNINEN “FIN “FORD “RC2 “P2
WORLD RALLY TEAM” Mikko MARKKULA” FIN” Fiesta Mk II” Rally2” WRC2”
15 23 “M-SPORT FORD “Martin PROKOP “CZE “FORD “RC2 “P2
WORLD RALLY TEAM” Viktor CHYTKA” CZE” Fiesta Mk II” Rally2” WRC2”
16 24 ONKAR RAI “Onkar RAI “KEN “VOLKSWAGEN “RC2 “P3
Drew STURROCK” GBR” Polo Gti” Rally2” WRC3”
17 25 CARL TUNDO “Carl TUNDO “KEN “VOLKSWAGEN “RC2 “P3
Timothy JESSOP” KEN” Polo Gti” Rally2” WRC3”
18 26 TEJVEER RAI “Tejveer RAI “KEN “VOLKSWAGEN “RC2 “P3
Gareth DAWE” ZWE” Polo Gti” Rally2” WRC3”
19 27 KARAN PATEL “Karan PATEL “KEN “FORD “RC2 “P3
Tauseef KHAN” KEN” Fiesta” Rally2” WRC3”
20 28 AAKIF VIRANI “Aakif VIRANI “KEN “SKODA “RC2 “P3
Azhar BHATTI” KEN” Fabia” Rally2” WRC3”
21 29 DANIEL CHWIST “Daniel CHWIST “POL “FORD “RC2 “P3
Kamil HELLER” POL” Fiesta” Rally2” WRC3”
22 30 AMAANRAJ SINGH RAI “Amaanraj RAI “KEN “FORD “RC2
Gurdeep PANESAR” GBR” Fiesta” Rally2”
23 31 BALDEV CHAGER “Baldev CHAGER “KEN “MISTUBISHI “NAT
Ravi SONI” KEN” Lancer Evo X” VR4”
24 32 ERIC BENGI “Eric BENGI “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Peter MUTUMA” KEN” Lancer Evo X” VR4”
25 34 RAAJPAL BHARIJ “Raajpal BHARIJ “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Jasneil GHATAURE” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
26 35 IZHAR MIRZA “Izhar MIRZA “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Kavit DAVE” KEN” Lancer Evo X” VR4”
27 36 M-SPORT POLAND “Sobiesław ZASADA “POL “FORD “RC3
Tomasz BORYSŁAWSKI” POL” Fiesta ST Rally3” Rally3”
28 38 GIANCARLO DAVITE “Giancarlo DAVITE “ITA “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Sylvia VINDEVOGEL” BEL” Lancer Evo X” VR4”
29 39 JASMEET CHANA “Jasmeet CHANA “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Ravinder CHANA” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”

34 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Entrylist
Count No. Competitor “Driver Nat Car “Class “Priority
Co-Driver” Group” Eligibility”
30 40 DILRAJ CHATTHE “Dilraj CHATTHE “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Gregory STEAD” ZWE” Lancer Evo X” VR4”
31 41 ISSA AMWARI “Issa AMWARI “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Job NJIRU” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
32 42 RONALD SSEBUGUZI “Ronald SSEBUGUZI “UGA “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Anthony MUGAMBWA” UGA” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
33 43 PIETRO CANOBBIO “Pietro CANOBBIO “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Alberto MARCON” ITA” Lancer Evo X” VR4”
34 45 PARAS PANDYA “Paras PANDYA “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Falgun BHOJAK” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
35 46 YASIN NASSER “Yasin NASSER “UGA “SUBARU “NAT
Ali KATUMBA” UGA” Impreza” NR4”
36 47 SOHANJEET SINGH PUEE “Sohanjeet PUEE “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Adnan DIN” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
37 48 HAMZA ANWAR “Hamza ANWAR “KEN “FORD “RC3
Riyaz ISMAIL” KEN” Fiesta ST Rally3” Rally3”
38 49 MCRAE KIMATHI “McRae KIMATHI “KEN “FORD “RC3
Shameer YUSUF” KEN” Fiesta ST Rally3” Rally3”
39 50 EVANS KAVISI “Evans KAVISI “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Absolom ASWANI” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
40 51 MINESH RATHOD “Minesh RATHOD “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Zahir SHAH” KEN” Lancer Evo X” VR4”
41 52 NIKHIL SACHANIA “Nikhil SACHANIA “GBR “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Deep PATEL” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
42 53 JOHN NG’ANG’A “John NG’ANG’A “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
Edward NDUKUI” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
43 54 DUNCAN MUBIRU “Duncan MUBIRU “UGA “SUBARU “NAT
Musa NSUBUGA” UGA” Impreza” NR4”
44 55 STEPHEN MWANGI “Stephen MWANGI “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
Dennis MWENDA” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
45 56 HASSAN ALWI “Hassan ALWI “UGA “SUBARU “NAT
James MWANGI” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
46 57 NZIOKA WAITA “Nzioka WAITA “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Tuta MIONKI” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
47 58 WALUBI KEPHER “Walubi KEPHER “UGA “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Sirajih T. KYAMBADDE” UGA” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
48 59 HUSSAIN MALIK “Hussain MALIK “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
Linet AYUKO” KEN” Lancer Evo X” NR4”
49 60 DAREN MIRANDA “Daren MIRANDA “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
Wayne FERNANDES” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
50 61 ADIL MUGHAL “Adil MUGHAL “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
Zaib Azhar HAMID” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
51 62 EDWARD MAINA “Edward MAINA “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
Tony GICHOHI” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
52 63 REHAN SHAH “Rehan SHAH “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
Harshil LIMBANI” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
53 64 JEREMY WAHOME “Jeremy WAHOME “KEN “FORD “RC3
Victor OKUNDI” KEN” Fiesta ST Rally3” Rally3”
54 65 OSMAN ABDULAHI “Osman ABDULAHI “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
Evans MWENDA” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
55 66 “ANDREW WANYOIKE “Andrew MUIRURI “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
MUIRURI” Edward NDUKUI” KEN” Impreza” NR4”
56 67 RIO SMITH “Rio SMITH “KEN “FORD “RC4
Laban CLIFF” KEN” Fiesta” Rally4”
57 68 JOSIAH KARIUKI “Josiah KARIUKI “KEN “MITSUBISHI “NAT
John NGUGI” KEN” Lancer Evo 9” NR4”
58 70 MAXINE WAHOME “Maxine WAHOME “KEN “SUBARU “NAT
Chantal YOUNG” KEN” Impreza” NR4”

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 35

 Champions
SAFARI
RALLY
PAST
WINNERS Bert Shankland, 1966, ‘67 Joginder Singh, 1965, ‘74, ‘76 Hannu Mikkola, 1972, ‘87

1953: 1st Coronation Safari Rally, Allan Dix/Johnny Larsen (KEN) Volkswagen Beetle
1954: 2nd Coronation Safari Rally, DP Marwaha/Vic Preston Snr (KEN) Volkswagen Beetle
1955: 3rd Coronation Safari Rally, Vic Preston Snr/DP Marwaha (KEN) Ford Zephyr
1956: 4th Coronation Safari Rally, Erick Cecil/Tony Vickers (KEN) DKW
1957: 5th Coronation Safari Rally, Gus Hofmann/Arthur Burton (KEN) DKW
1958: 6th Coronation Safari Rally, T. Brooke/Peter Hughes (KEN) For Anglia 100E Impala Class
- Arne Kopperund/ Kora Kopperund (KEN) Ford Zephyr II Lion Class
- Morris Temple-Boreham/ Mike Armstrong (KEN) Auto Union 100 Leopard Class
1959: 7th Coronation Safari Rally, Bill, Fritschy/Jack Ellis (KEN) Mercedes Benz 219
1960: 8th East African Safari Rally, Bill Fritschy/Jack Ellis (KEN) Mercedes Benz 219
1961: 9th East African Safari Rally, John Manussis/Bill Coleridge/David Bekett (KEN) Mercedes Benz-220 SE
1962: 10th East African Safari Rally, Tommy Fjastad/Bernhard Schimder (KEN) Volkswagen 1200
1963: 11th East Africa Safari Rally, Nick Nowicki/Paddy Cliff (KEN) Peugeot 404
1964: 12th East African Safari Rally, Peter Hughes/Bill Young (KEN) Ford Cortina GT
1965: 13th East African Safari Rally, Joginder Singh/Jaswant Singh (KEN) Volvo PV 544
1966: 14th East African Safari Rally, Bert Shankland/Chris Rothwell (TZ) Peugeot 404
1967: 15th East African Safari Rally, Bert Shankland/Chris Rothwell (TZ) Peugeot 404
1968: 16th East African Safari Rally, Nick Nowicki/Paddy Cliff (KEN) Peugeot 404
1969: 17th East African Safari Rally, Robin Hillyar/Jock Aird (KEN) Ford Taunus 20M RS
1970: 18th East African Safari Rally, Edgar Herrmann (KEN) Hans Schuller (Germany) Datsun 1600
1971: 19th East African Safari Rally, Edgar Herrmann (KEN) Hans Schuller (Germany) Datsun 240V
1972: 20th East African Safari Rally (30 Mar – 3 Apr), Hannu Mikkola (FIN) /Gunnar Palm (SWE) Ford Escort RS 1600 1MC)
1973: 21st East African Safari Rally, (19-23 Apr) Shekhar Mehta/Lofty Drews (KEN) Datsun 240Z
WRC1974: 22nd East African Safari Rally, (11-15 Apr) Joginder Singh/David Doig (KEN) Colt Lancer 1600GSR
WRC1975: 23rd Safari Rally (27 – 31 Mar), Ove Andersson/ Arne Hertz (SWE) Peugeot 504
WRC1976 24th Safari Rally (15 – 19 Apr), Joginder Singh/David Doig (KEN) Lancer 1600 GSR
WRC1977: 25th Safari Rally (7 – 11 Apr), Bjorn Waldegaard/Hans Thorselius (SWE) Ford Escort RS1800
WRC1978: 26th Safari Rally (23 – 27 Mar) Jean-Pierre Nicholas/Jean–Claude Lefebvre (FRA) Peugeot 504 V6 Coupe
WRC1979: 27th Safari Rally (12 – 16 Apr), Shekhar Mehta/Mike Doughty (KEN) Datsun 160J
WRC1980: 28th Safari Rally (3 – 7 Apr), Shekhar Mehta/Mike Doughty (KEN) Datsun 160J
WRC1981: 29th Safari Rally (16 – 20 Apr), Shekhar Mehta/Mike Doughty (KEN) Datsun Violet GT
WRC1982: 30th Marlboro Safari Rally (8 – 12 Apr), Shekhar Mehta/Mike Doughty (KEN) Datsun Violet GT)
WRC1983: 31st Marlboro Safari Rally (30 Mar – 4 Apr), Ari Vatanen (FIN)/ Terry Harryman (GB) Opel Ascona 400
WRC1984: 32nd Marlboro Safari Rally (19 – 23 Apr), Bjorn Waldegard/Hans Thorselius (SWE) Toyota Celica TCT

36 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

Bjorn Waldegard, 1977, ‘84, ‘86 Shekhar Mehta, 1973, ‘79, ‘80, ‘81, ‘82 Champions
Miki Biason, 1988, ‘89 Carlos Sainz, 1992 Tommi Makinen, 1996, ‘2001

WRC1985: 33rd Marlboro Safari Rally (4 – 8 Apr), Juha Kankunnen (FIN)/Fred Gallagher (GB) Toyota Celica TCT
WRC1986: 34th Marlboro Safari Rally (29 Mar – 2 Apr), Bjorn Waldegard (SWE/) Fred Galagher (GB) Toyota Celica TCT
WRC1987: 35th Marlboro Safari Rally (16 – 20 Apr), Hannu Mikkola (FIN)/ Arne Hertz (SWE) Audi 200 Quattro
WRC1988: 36th Marlboro Safari Rally (31 Mar – 4 Apr), Miki Biasion/Tizino Sivielo (ITA) Lancia Delta HF Integrale
WRC1989: 37th Marlboro Safari Rally (23–27 Mar), Miki Biasion/Tizino Sivielo (ITA) Lancia Delta HF Integrale
WRC1990: 38th Marlboro Safari Rally (11–16 Apr), Bjorn Waldegard (SWE) Fred Galagher (GB) Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165
WRC1991: 39th Martini Safari Rally (27 Mar – 1 Apr), Juha Kankkunen/Juha Piironen (FIN) Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v
WRC1992: 40th Martini Safari Rally 27 (Mar – 1), Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
WRC1993: 41st Trust Bank Safari Rally (8–12 Apr), Juha Kankkunen/Juha Piironen (FIN) Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
WRC1994: 42nd Trust Bank Safari Rally (31 Mar – 3 Apr), Ian Duncan/David Williamson (KEN) Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
WRC1995: 43rd Safari Rally (14–17 Apr), Yoshio Fuji (JPN)/Arne Hertz (SWE) Toyota Celica Turbo 4WDL
WC1996: 44th Safari Rally (5–7 Apr), Tommi Makinen/Seppo Harjanne (FIN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO II
WRC1997: 45th Safari Rally (1–3 Mar), Colin McRae/Nicky Grist (GB) Subaru Impreza
WRC1998: 46th Safari Rally (28 Feb – 2 Mar) Richard Burns/Robert Reid (GB) Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evo IV
WRC1999: 47th Safari Rally (26–28 Feb), Colin McRae/Nicky Grist (GB) Ford Focus WRC Safari
WRC2000: 48th Sameer Safari Rally (25–27 Feb), Richard Burns/Robert Reid (GB) Subaru Impreza WRC00
WRC2001: Safari Rally (20–22 Jul), Tommi Makinen/Risto Mannisenmaki (FIN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6.5
WRC2002: 50th Inmarsat Safari Rally (12–14 Jul), Colin McRae/Nicky Grist Ford Focus RS WRC02
ARC2003: 51st KCB Safari Rally (9-11 Oct), Glen Edmunds/Titch Phillips (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
ARC2004: 52nd KCB Safari Rally (12–14 Mar), Carlo Tundo/Tim Jessop (KEN) Subaru Impreza
ARC2005: 53rd KCB Safari Rally (15th – 17th Jul), Glen Edmunds/Des Page-Morris (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII
ARC2006: 54th KCB Safari Rally (24 – 26 Mar), Azar Anwar/George Mwangi (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VI
ARC/IRC2007: 55th KCB Safari Rally (9-11 Mar), Conrad Rautenbach/Peter March (ZIM) Subaru Impreza
ARC2008: 56th KCB Safari Rally (27–29 Jun), Lee Rose/Piers Daykin) (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX
ARC2009: 57th KCB Safari Rally (3–5 Apr), Carlo Tundo/Tim Jessop (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX
ARC2010: 58th KCB Safari Rally (2–4 Apr), Lee Rose/Piers Daykin (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX
ARC2011: 59th KCB Safari Rally (17–19 Jun), Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX
ARC2012: 60th KCB Safari Rally (8–10 Jun), Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX
ARC2013: 61st KCB Safari Rally (5–7 Jul), Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X
ARC2014: 62nd KCB Safari Rally (12–14 Sep), Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X
ARC2015: 63rd KCB Safari Rally (4–5 Apr), Jaspreet Singh Chatthe/Gurdeep Panesar (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X R4
KRC2016: 64th KCB Safari Rally (10–11 Jun), Jaspreet Singh Chatthe/Gurdeep Panesar (KEN) MitsubishiLancer EVO X R4
ARC/KNRC2017: 65th Safari Rally (17–18 Mar), Tapio Laukkanen (FIN)/Gavin Laurence (KEN) Subaru Impreza WRX STi
ARC/KNRC2018: 66th Safari Rally (17-18Mar), Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X R4
ARC/KNRC2019: 67th Safari Rally (5-7Jul), Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni (KEN) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X R4

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 37

 Opinion

38 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY


For 19 years, KCB Bank kept Safari dream alive
BY JOSHUA OIGARA
O
VER THE PAST TWO decades, KCB
Bank has proudly and ardently
supported motorsports in Kenya.
During this period, the Bank has spent
over KShs.1.2 billion. We are excited
to see the World Rally Championship
(WRC) Safari Rally Kenya back on our
soil, after 18 years absence.
KCB’s investment in motorsport is
informed by the need to continually
support the expansion of sports in East
Africa and resonates at many levels
with the brand which is one of the
biggest sponsors across disciplines.
As a result, we have directly nurtured,
developed and supported thousands of
sports people in the region, effectively
helping see young people grow their
Message
talent to be sports professionals customers and appreciating them for
in their various disciplines. Among supporting our business. We ask those
the other sports we sponsor are who are not already customers to try us
volleyball, rugby, football, chess, golf and enjoy our partnership to catalyze
and athletics. This has gone a long your lives and your businesses.
way in making Kenya a global sporting
powerhouse and brought people The writer is
together as they have fun and cheer the KCB Group
best in our sports men and women. Chief
That is why we are in a 3-year Executive
partnership with the WRC Safari Rally Officer &
Kenya worth KShs250 million. We put Managing
in KShs.50 million towards the WRC Director.
candidate event in 2019. For this year’s
iconic edition, to be staged this year
from June 24 to June 27, 2021, we have
committed Kshs.100 million. Next year,
we will be back to support the initiative.
For us, motorsports is one of the
avenues of interacting with our
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 39

Safari Return: Welcome
relief amid uncertain times
Kenya moves to fight
Covid-19 challenges
By ELIAS MAKORI
I
N MARCH, 2020, the Kenyan
government ordered a cessation of
sports competitions following the
reporting of the first positive cases of
Covid-19 in Kenya.
Global sport was soon on hold,
with the eagerly-anticipated return
of the Safari Rally to the World Rally
Championship also postponed, much
to the chagrin of Kenya’s, and Africa’s,
motorsports enthusiasts who had
waited two decades to see a WRC car
race on African soil.
40 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
On June 30, 2020, Sports Cabinet
Secretary Amina Mohamed appointed
the Resumption of Sports Advisory
Committee to draw up protocols for
the phased resumption of sporting
activities, leading to the return of play
in October.
Motorsport, being a non-contact
sport, was one of the sporting events
that received the greenlight in the initial
re-opening phase.
“These protocols are timely and will
help us, as a nation, resume various
sporting activities with attendant
caution and discipline,” WRC Safari
Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi said at the
time.
“Motorsport is a non-contact sport,
but this does not mean that we
will let our guard down as we
join the rest of the country in
ensuring we flatten the Covid-19
curve,” Kimathi, also the Kenya
Motor Sports Federation chairman
added.
But no sooner had the local
motorsports calendar been kick-
started than the second Covid-19
wave reared its ugly head again,
leading to another, indefinite,
stoppage of play announced
by President Uhuru Kenyatta
last month to help contain the
scourge.
However, with the International
Automobile Federation (FIA)
having incorporated a Covid-19
Code into Appendix S of its
International Sporting Code, and
with various measures taken by
the Kenyan government to fight
the virus fears that the WRC
Safari Rally would be shelved
again have been allayed.
The FIA’s World Motor Sports
Council - of which CS Amina is
a member - also appointed a
Covid-19 Expert Group with the
authority to grant a full or partial
waiver of certain requirements of
the Covid-19 Code.
 Profiles
DRIVERS
CARL “FLASH” TUNDO ONKAR SINGH RAI

Team : Top Fry Racing Team: Kabras Sugar Racing

Current car: Mitsubishi Evolution X
Previous Cars: Proton Neo Satria
S2000, Subaru GC8, Evo9, Ford Fiesta
Family:  Married with kids
Resides:  Nakuru County
DOB:  11/12/1973
Sponsors: West Kenya Sugar Co.
Current car: VW Polo R5
Previous Car: Skoda Fabia R5
Family: 2 sisters 1 brother
Navigator: Drew Sturrock
DOB: 29/05/88

Favorite TV show:  Vikings or Walking Place of work: Menengai Oil Refineries

Dead (Managing Director)
Favorite Movie:  Django Unchained Favorite TV Show: Entourage
Occupation:  Agribusiness  Favorite Movie: All transformers
First Road Car:   Suzuki Jeep  Person you would like to have dinner
First Rally Car:  Subaru Leone  with: Steven Gerrard
First Event:   Nakuru ‘95 Favorite Holiday Destination: Malta
Person you would love to have dinner First Road Car: Audi A3
with: Barrack Obama First Rally Car: Subaru N12
Favorite All-time Rally First Event and result: Guru Nanak 2010,
Driver:   Sebastian Loeb retired
Current Navigator:   Tim Jessop Favorite All-time Rally Driver: Petter
Most Admired Sports person:  Dan Solberg
Carter Most Admired Sports person: Steven
KNRC Class: Premier Gerrard
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: KNRC Class: Premier
5- time Safari Rally winner CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
4-time KNRC champion-2007, 2009, Three-time back- to-back Nakuru Rally
2012 & 2018 winner 2017, 2018 and 2019

The Media Safety and

Motor sports personality of the year 2011 KNRC Division 2 champion 

Route Coordinator
2005 Mombasa Rally 2012- 3rd overall
2nd overall KCB Safari Rally 2014 Kisumu Rally 2015 -3rd overall
has earmarked First ever driver to win a KNRC round 5th overall 2013 KQ East African Safari

and published
in a (Proton) S2000 car Classic
2018 KNRC champion -won 6 out of Winner- MMC Coast Club Rally round 2 in
vantage points 8 rallies Ramisi - September 2011
for camera lenses, Winner-2012 National Autocross

microphones and
Championship race in Jamhuri Park
2017 Balkan Classic Rallye of Bulgaria: 2nd
computer keyboards overall behind Belgian Gregoire De Mevius 
to showcase Stage winner -. 2013 KQ East Africa Safari

Kenya’s magnificent
Classic at Parane

landscape.

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 41


New drivers, changed format,
but this is still the Safari Rally
By CHARLES NYENDE
T
HE COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY
defines a “Safari” thus: a trip to
observe or hunt wild animals,
especially in East Africa.
Game hunting was officially banned in
Kenya in 1977 but the Safari Rally has over
the years continued to offer spectators an
opportunity to watch drivers competing
in this motorcar race largely considered
the toughest in the world, against the
backdrop of wild animals roaming in their
natural habitat in Kenya.
Pictures of racing cars scattering a herd
of zebras, zooming past curious elands
and blowing dust under the lazy stare of
elegant giraffes are what have made the
Safari Rally an iconic event in the World
42 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
Rally Championships.
And the WRC Safari adventure is
back with more promise of compelling
interaction between machine and animal
in natural surroundings.
The launch of the Service Park,
considered the biggest in the
Championships, in Naivasha last year,
brought out that unique Safari experience
that has been the hallmark of this
exciting race
“The old rally was about 5,000km
and traversed the whole country. Next
year’s rally will be about 1,000km long
raced around Naivasha. It will still be the
toughest rally in the world. Wild animals
will still be there,” said Phineas Kimathi,
the WRC Safari Rally CEO and Kenya
Motor Sports Federation chairman during
the launch.
As he made these remarks, several
hippopotami, giant semi-aquatic
herbivores native to the area and with a
fearsome reputation, were lazily grazing
just a few metres away. So close were the
pachyderms you could tell the colour of
their beady eyes!
A drive through the Naivasha
countryside is likely to offer you a glimpse
of a Rothschild’s giraffe, a plains zebra
and other wild ungulates that are part of
the touristic attractions.
For Kenyan born before the 1980s, the
Safari Rally was a big deal for another
reason.
“Safo” as they called it, was part of
the Kenyan culture, a ritual, religiously
observed in April over the Easter holidays.
 Profiles
DRIVERS
TEJVEER RAI  First Road Car: Toyota Premio
First Rally Car: Subaru GC8
Hatchback
First Event and Result: Kiambu
Training Rally, Did Not Finish...got
stuck 7km into CS1
Favorite All-time Rally Driver (s):
Ken Block, Sebastian Ogier
Hobbies:
-Taking things apart and putting
them back together
-Motocross (past hobby),
-Nitro RC racing.
LIVES IN:  Kakamega  Most Admired Sports person: Colin
CAR MAKE: VW Polo R5  McRae
NAVIGATOR: Gareth Dawe KNRC Class: Premier
TEAM: Kabras Sugar Racing CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
PROFESSION: (Businessman) 2014 KNRC Group S and Division 3
Managing Director of West Kenya Champion in an ex-Baldev Chager
Sugar Company GC8 car
Former East African 85cc Motocross
KNRC DEBUT: KCB Easy Pay Loans Champion
Rally 2011 in Voi  S class winner -KCB Safari Rally
KNRC DIVISION: Premier Class 2014
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  4th overall KCB Nyahururru Rally
Career best second place on KCB 2020 
Nyahururu Rally 2019
Winner KNRC Division 3 Class - KCB
Kajiado Rally 2013
Nephew to two-time former KNRC
BALDEV SINGH
champion Sarbi Rai and brother to
KNRC Class Premier driver Onkar Rai
CHAGER
Joined KNRC Premier Class in 2019

KARAN PATEL

Parents and their children crowned their Nicknames: Boldy/Flying Singh

holiday by lining up on the roads to catch a Team: Kabras Sugar Racing
Sponsors: West Kenya Sugar Co.
glimpse of the speed machines.
(Kabras Sugar)
As young lads growing up in Nairobi in the Team: Filmico Racing Team Role: Lead driver and former
1980s, we would walk to KICC, City Hall Way Role: Driver technical engineer for Kabras team
or Uhuru Highway to mingle with the excited Current Car: Ford Fiesta R5 Car: Mitsubishi EVOX
crowd out view the noisy cars as they returned Previous cars:  Ex-Baldev Subaru Family: Married with one wife and
Impreza GC8, Evolution X GrpN
to headquarters or made their way out of the Resides: Nairobi
kids
capital city for another day of racing in the Resides: Nairobi area
DOB: 7th May 1991 DOB: 8/3/75
Kenyan wilderness. Navigator: Tauseef Khan
One could also follow the action live on Occupation: Licensed Aircraft Place of work: BHP Performance
radio. Voice of Kenya (now Kenya Broadcasting Maintenance Engineer Ltd/ BC Racing
Corporation) was the only broadcaster in Favorite TV Show: Storage Hunters Occupation: Businessman
the country and many a home had their (discovery channel) Favorite TV Show: Many especially
Favorite Movie: Ghost and the
occupants huddled next to the radio intently Darkness
on discovery channel
listening to live hourly updates. Those who Favourite Movie: God Father
Person you would like to have Person you would like to have
owned TVs would wait until evening for a dinner with: Bernie Ecclestone dinner with: The President
30-minute day’s highlight. Favorite Holiday Destination: Favourite Holiday Destination:
continued on page 44 Mauritius Anywhere with a beach

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 43


“Safo” as they called
it, was part of the
Kenyan culture, a
ritual religiously
observed in April over
the Easter holidays.
Aakif Virani powers his Skoda through a river crossing at Soysambu during the ARC Equator Rally 2021.
continued from page 43
We also enacted our own Safari Rally,
building toy cars, designing competition
routes in the estate and engaging in our
own race. Each driver would pull his car
with a string and penalties were slapped
for overturning, losing a wheel, breaking
the string, taking a shortcut and so on.
The person who finished with the least
number of penalties won the “rally”.
Invariable every kid racing took the
name of one of the popular rally drivers
of the time.
And the names were many. Three-
time winner and one of the best known
names of the yesteryear rally, Joginder
Singh; the most successful driver of the
44 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
rally with four consecutive triumphs
Shekhar Mehta; and Vic Preston Junior,
just to name a few of the top Kenyans.
My favourite was Rauno Aaltonen
of Finland who finished second on six
occasions.
The big names of yore remain fresh
in many a mind: Hannu Mikkola,
Bjorn Waldergad, Ari Vatanen, Sandro
Munari, Miki Biasion, Tommi Makinen,
Stig Blomqvist, Markku Alen, Juha
Kankunnen, Andrew Cowan, Michelle
Morton, Timo Salonen, Erwin Weber,
Possum Bourne. Locals, Mike Doughty,
Rob Collinge, Vic Preston Junior, Mike
Kirkland, Frank Tundo, Jayant Shah,
Ramesh Khoda, Prem and Pauru Choda,
Partick Njiru.
Fresh in the mind too are the Safari
Rally classic machines: Datsun 240Z,
Datsun 160J, Peugeot 504 Coupe,
Nissan 240RS, Lancia Stratos, Opel
Ascona 400, Ford Escort, Toyota Celica
TCT, Audi Quattro 200 and Volkswagen
Golf GTi.
The current generation of drivers
Sebastien Ogier, Ott Tanak, Olive
Solberg, Dani Sordo, Esapekka Lappi,
Kalle Rovanperä et al will have their
chance to flirt with the Kenyan
wilderness and flatter a passionate
following of this iconic race, in the
ultimate Safari experience.
-Charles Nyende is an avid sports
fan, workout junkie and award
winning sports writer
 Profiles
DRIVERS
First Road Car: Mini
First Rally Car: Opel Ascona 400 JASMEET SINGH
First Event and Result: Simba Union
Clubman Rally 1st overall. CHANA
Favorite All-time Rally Driver (s):
Markku Alen, Kankkunen and Tommi.
Current Navigator: Ravi Soni
Hobby: Engineering, reading
Most Admired Sports personalities:
Mike Tyson & Usain Bolt.
KNRC Class: Premier
Career highlights:
Three times Safari Rally winner in
2013, 2014 & 2019
Four times KNRC Champion in 2008,
2013, 2014 and 2019 Team: CRS Motorsport
Kenya Motor Sport personality of the Sponsors: Identisys Ltd
year (2007 and 2013) Role: driver
Current leader of KNRC 2020 after Car: Mitsubishi Evox
Nyahururu rally win Family: Married to Sheetal Chana
Resides: Parklands, Nairobi
D0B: 9th January 1978

ERIC BENGI Place of work: CRS Motorsport

Team:  Menegai Lemon Racing
Role: Driver
Car: Mitsubishi Evolution X-R4
Family:  Married   Altonen.
Resides: Nairobi
DOB: 26th April 1976
Favorite TV show: WRC & Top Gear
Favorite Movie: Italian job
Occupation:   Businessman
First Road Car:  Toyota DX
First Rally Car: Land Rover Discovery   KNRC 2WD champion-2007-2009
First Event:  Quattro Charge - Lukenya/
Finisher
Person you would love to have dinner
with: Cecelia Mwangi, model
Current Navigator: Peter Mutuma
Favorite All Time rally Driver: Sebastian
Ogier
KNRC Class: Premier
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Promoted to KNRC Premier category in 2019
2018 KNRC Division 1 and Group N
Champion
Former KNRC 2WD Champion
2WD winner - KCB Safari Rally 2014
Previously drove a Toyota Runx in 2WD and
Route mapping: (from left) Nazir Yakub and Iain Campbell
Range Rover SPV in Rally Raid and Autocross
events
Fifth overall 2018 Safari Rally
workshop, Nairobi
Occupation: Auto Mechanic
Favorite TV show: Hell’s Kitchen
Favorite Movie: Naked Gun
Person to have dinner with: Our
President Uhuru Kenyatta
Favorite holiday destination: 
Maldives.
First road car: Nissan Sunny b12
First rally car: VW Golf GTI
First event and result: KCB Safari
Rally 2007 /3rd overall in 2WD
Favorite all time rally driver: Raono
Current navigator: Brother Ravi
Chana.
Hobby: Building rally cars
Most admired sports person:  Mikko
Hervonen
KNRC Class: Premier
Career highlights:
Group N champion 2011 -2012-2013
2013 Division 3 winner
2015 Division 1 winner
Group N Champion-2019
Joined Premier Class in 2019
2WD winner - KCB Safari Rally 2009
Group S drivers champion – 2012
3rd Overall position - KCB Machakos
Rally 2014

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 45

 Opinion

From left: Jeremy Wahome, Victor Okundi, Phineas Kimathi ( CEO Safari Rally), Hamza Anwar and McRae Kimathi

Upcoming talent all set for take-off

Gaming firm Betika will be sponsoring four teams in the Safari. They will be: Maxine Wahome/Chantal Young, Anthony Muiruri/
Edward Njoroge, Rahan Shah/Hershil Limbani and Hussein Malik/Linet Ayuko. This group of young driv-ers will join the other set of
three crews who have secured sponsorship with the help of the FIA-Rally Star programme. McRae Kimathi/Shameer Yusuf, Hamza
Anwar/Riyaz Ismail and Jeremy Wahome/Victor Okundi have already been gifted the Ford Fiesta R3 rally cars for the Safari Rally.

Riyaz Ismail (left) and Hamza Anwar

46 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Nextgeneration
DRIVERS
NIKHIL SACHANIA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
KNRC Division 2 Drivers Champion
2019
4th Overall Eldoret Rally
Group S winner 2012 KCB Nyeri Rally
Finisher on his debut during the 2010
KCB Safari Rally  
Student of Abdul Sidi Rally Academy
Previously navigated by Stela
Macharia and Job Njiru in Family Bank
Rally Team and Silverspread Team Meru
respectively
Nickname: Nik
Event: KNRC
Racing category: SPV
EDWARD MAINA
Date of Birth: 07/01/89

Team: Filmico Racing Team

Profession: Project Manager
Hometown: Nairobi
Racing debut: Eldama Ravine Rally
2014
Navigator; Deep Patel
KNRC Class: Division 1
CARRER ACHIEVEMENTS
Motorsport Personality of the year Team Sponsors: Emka Electrical 
2014.  Role: Driver
SOYA sport personality of the year Navigator: John Ngugi 
McRae Kimathi 2014/2015 Car: Subaru  Impreza
SPV Champion 2014 Family: Married 
SPV Champion 2018 Resides: Nairobi 
Division 3 Champion 2018 DOB: 30th September 1961
Current leader 2020 KNRC Division 1
Place of work: Emka Electrical 
ISSA AMWARI   Occupation: Engineer 
Favorite TV Show: Animal Planet on
DSTV 
Favorite Movie: anything soap opera 
Person you would like to have dinner
with: my wife
Favorite Holiday
Destination: Naivasha
First Road Car: VW Beetle 
First Rally Car: Datsun 1600SSS
First Event and Result: Guru Nanak
Rally 1992/DNF
Favorite All-time Rally Driver: Juha
Kankkunen
Previous navigator: Steve
Team: Keihin Racing Mbuthia and John Nganga Igash
DOB: 8/2/1982  Hobby: Motorsports 
HOMETOWN: Meru Most Admired Sports person: Carl
LIVES IN: Nairobi Tundo
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
CLASS:  Group N 21st overall-KCB Voi Rally 2012
NAVIGATOR: Job Njiru 24th overall –KCB Nakuru Rally 2014
CAR: Mitsubishi EVOX 15th overall 2018 safari Rally
Hometown: Meru
ROLE:   driver  
PROFESSION:   Businessman
KNRC DEBUT:  2010 KCB Safari Rally  
Riyo Smith
Race category: Premier

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 47

 Opinion
Naivasha, ARC Equator Rally 2021.
Carl Tundo ‘Flashing’ New Card
By PETER NJENGA
F
ORMER NATIONAL champions Carl Tundo and Tim
Jessop will drive a VW Polo R5 sponsored by UK-based
Minti Motorsport Safari Rally.
An elated Tundo thanked Minti which had previously
indicated on fielding Joey Ghose whose travel plans have
been disrupted by the new Covid-19 restriction.
“With the prevailing global Covid-19 pandemic, Minti
Motorsport, a team made up of members from across the
world, are finding it very difficult to ‘assemble’ in Kenya for
the WRC Safari Rally, restrictions both from home countries
like Oman and UK, to name a few, and the uncertainty
are causing havoc logistically,” said the team in a Press
statement.
“Minti Motorsport have, however, gone local again to
48 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
continue to support our sport during these challenging
times and we are proud to announce that Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo
will be driving our VW Polo R5 for WRC Safari Rally.
“We would like to thank Kenya Motorsport Fédération
(KMSF) for their support in assisting our team.
In an interview, Tundo said he was delighted to ride the
“beauty” of a car in the Safari Rally. He said: “My profession
is Agri-Business although I am unemployed at the moment
and I drive these (rally cars) for a hobby.
“My latest car is a Mitsubishi EVO 10.I was asked by Pali
(Harpal) from Minti to replace Joey because he couldn’t
make it for WRC Safari Rally because of the pandemic and
the lockdown in Aman,
“It is a big task. This is a new machine and I am just
getting used to it. I experienced it during Equator Rally and I
just hope it will be good …We are looking forward to having
 Sponsorship
DRIVERS
HUSSEIN MALIK DAREN MIRANDA

Role: Driver Nickname: Cowboy

Current car: Evolution X Team: Ndovu Cement
Previous Car: EVO6 (ex-Azar Anwar/ Previous Current car: Subaru Leon,
won Safari in 2006)  VW Golf Mk2, Levin
Family: Married with children  Current car: Subaru N10 4WD
Resides: Nairobi Navigator: Wayne Fernandez
DOB: 28th January 1981 Resides: Nairobi
Role: Driver
Place of work: Version 6 Enterprises Birthday: 2nd July
Occupation: Businessman/dealer in
ex-Japanese spare parts Place of work: Company Director
Favorite TV Show: Friends  Racing debut: 2006 Guru Nanak rally 
Favorite Movie: Fast and Furious  Favorite TV Show: Vitimbi
Person you would like to have dinner Favorite Holiday Destination:
with: Jarri-Matti Latvala Mombasa
Favorite Holiday Destination: Dubai, First Road Car: PA 10
UAE First Rally Car: Toyota Levin
First Road Car: Toyota Corolla II Turbo First Event: Guru Nanak 2006
First Rally Car: Subaru Legacy Favorite All-time Rally Driver: Ian
My latest car is a First Event and Result: 2008 Suswa Duncan
Mitsubishi EVO 10.
Rally/finisher  Most Admired Sports person: Ian

I was asked by Pali

Favorite All-time Rally Driver: Colin Duncan
McRae  Racing category: 2WD
(Harpal) from Minti Current Navigator: Linet Ayuko   CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
to replace Joey,
Hobby: Football and Fishing (Supports 1600cc champion 2007 open class

who couldn’t make

Liverpool) 2WD
Most Admired Sports Person: Lewis 100percent finish record 2007 2WD
it for WRC Safari Hamilton  Championship

Rally because of the

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  2WD Runner up 2018 behind Sarit

Covid-19 pandemic
3rd overall -2014 KNRC S Class Shah
Championship Current KNRC 2WD leader
and the lockdown in Group S winner -KCB Guru Nanak Rally 2WD Champion 2019
Oman. 2012: 
Group S winner-KCB Malindi Rally 2014: 
Lochab award winner 2016
Winner 1600 class 2007 Safari
KCB Safari Rally 2012: 3rd overall in 2WD safari winner 2017
Group S behind Jaswinder Chana and
Meschell van Tongeren 

good. So, no expectations but I am hoping I can, you

know I have said a lot about these cars and how I would
love to be in one so now the prove will be in the pudding
whether I can drive the thing.’
In addition to Tundo, Minti Motorsport will also field
another car in Kenya this season - the historic Nissan
240RS which will be driven by Ian Duncan in the Safari,
selected national championship events and the East
African Classic Safari later this year.

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 49


Nothing will stop determined Sachania
An inspirational man
who continues to break
records of all sorts
By SAMSON ATEKA
N
IKHIL SACHANIA survived a near-
fatal quad bike accident 9 years ago
and he is now living the old adage of
disability is not inability.
Though unable to walk, Sachania makes
use of his hands, driving faster than
many able-bodied people in a modified
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO.
He is one of the star attractions in the
Safari Rally, an inspirational man who
continues to break records of sorts in
50 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
matters of human dignity.
Sachania has caught the attention of
the FIA which has created rules to serve
drivers like this great Kenyan. Through
the FIA Disability and Accessibility
Commission, FIA offers support to
disabled drivers through the no-cost
supply of a range of safety equipment.
Available to disabled drivers who
participate in at least five races per year
sanctioned by their National Sporting
Authority (ASN), the grant is intended to
make motorsport more accessible without
compromising safety.
The FIA created the Disability and
Accessibility Commission to ensure
accessible racing and motoring across
both the sport and mobility pillars.
Well, Nikhil is one such passionate dude
who won’t let a common form of disability
stand in the way of his racing aspirations.
His passion for the man and machine
game is priceless, and this is what brings
him back to the cockpit time and again.
How disability changed his life
In September 2011, Nikhil was involved
in an accident in Athi River, where he
was testing his new quad with champion
Shazar Anwar and Zane Young trying to get
ready for his would-be national quad class
debut.
“I hit a rock at high speed and landed
head first. The impact shattered my
 Determination
DRIVERS
GIANCARLO DAVITE garage in Bakuli Kampala)

 DOB: 28th November 1963
HOMETOWN: Kigali, Rwanda
CLASS: RC2-NR4
NAVIGATOR: Sylvia Vindevogel
PROFESSION: Owner and General
Manager of Pharmaceutical Company
in Kigali, Rwanda.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Multiple Ugandan Champion- 2006
and 2009
One of the most popular Uganda rally
driver
Started rallying in 2001
Debut event - Total Quartz Rally.
First car -Nissan Sunny.
In 2001, Ssebuguzi participated in
the Castrol Rally finishing 9th overall.
In 2011, he made his debut in the KCB
Safari Rally finishing 12th overall.
Previously drove a Mitsubishi Evo9 f
DUNCAN MUBIRU 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Safari Kenya 2004, 7th in a Golf
Safari Kenya 2010, 2nd in ARC driving
a Subaru Impreza
Kobil Tanzania 2010- 2nd overall
Pearl of Africa Uganda 2010, 5th (
Rally stopped due to Ryiaz Kurji’s
accident)
Zimbabwe Toyota Rally 2011, 3rd Nickname: Kikankane 
Zimbabwe Toyota Rally 2012, 4th Role: Driver 
Sasol rally South Africa, 14th Nationality: Uganda
Zambia Puma energy rally 2012, Navigator: Musa Nsubuga
leader end leg 1B, broke down in Leg 2 Team : Kikankane Rally Team-KRT
due to transmission problem.  Car: Subaru Impreza
Rwanda national rally champion in  
2008, 2009 and 2011
Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
Winner, 2000
PIERO CANOBIO
2nd Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
2010, 2011
spine,” he recalls the day that changed his life KCB East African Rally champion
forever. 2009, and 3rd in 2010
But guess what? Nikhil has always wanted to
race no matter what!
And having already taken some impressive scalps RONALD SEBUGUZI
at the KNRC category level, Nikhil is now targeting
the KNRC Division One title in 2021 and eventually
Home Town: North Coast
the elite Premier Class, the furthest a driver can go
Class: Group N
at the national level. Car: Mitsubishi Evolution X
Resides: Kilifi
Hand-controls Occupation: Businessman
“All my cars are hand-controlled. The operation is Navigator: Alberto Marcon
a simple push and pulls lever mechanism- pull to
accelerate and push to brake.” CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Winner of 2014 MMC Club Rally in
“Work always comes first then sports. My HOMETOWN: Kampala Nguu Tatu
rally car is sometimes based at my workplace, NAVIGATOR: Anthony Mugambwa Participates in MMC Clubman rallies
so it is fairly easy to check up on it once or twice PREVIOUS NAVIGATOR: Cedric and selected KNRCs
a day. My first rally car (Mitsubishi Challenger Buzabo Previously competed in the Italian
CAR: Mitsubishi EVO X national rally series
continued on page 52 TEAM: Ssebuguzi Team
PROFESSION: car mechanic (owns a

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 51


My current Evolution
X is faster and I’m
loving it every day.
Compared to the
S2000 car, which was
normally aspirated,
the Evolution X is a
turbo-powered car.
continued from page 51
pickup) was really fun to drive! It felt like
you are driving in a monster truck.
But my current Evolution X is faster
and I’m loving it every day. Compared
to the S2000 car which was normally
aspirated, the Evolution X is a turbo-
powered car. The gearbox makes all the
difference. My previous Abarth S2000
had a sequential gearbox while the EVO
runs on a standard spec.”
Nikhil started his rallying career on the
2014 KCB Mtaani Eldama Ravine Rally
with Charan Singh in the Challenger. He
later upgraded to a Fiat Abarth Grande
Punto S2000 and now a Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolution X classified under
Specially Prepared Vehicles (SPV) and
non-homologated.
“Initially it was difficult especially in
52 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
the Abarth S2000 but practice cane in
handy,” says Nikhil, who studied Project
Management in the UK.
FIA Disability Grant
After receiving the safety equipment
grant from FIA Disability and
Accessibility Commission, paraplegic
driver Nikhil Sachania is leaving nothing
to chance.
He has since completed requisite
modifications as advised by FIA. What
is now remaining is the ‘Certificate of
Adoption’ which he believes will come to
fruition over the next few days.
Now a KNRC Division One driver,
Nikhil is taking advantage of the recent
suspension of sporting activities to fine-
tune his hand-controlled Mitsubishi
Evolution 10. He is hoping to debut this
year’s WRC Safari Rally in June.
As part of FIA requirements for Safari,
the reigning three-time Kenyan SPV
Champion has already fitted the certified
safety fuel tank he received from ATL as
part of his FIA Disability Grant.
Certificate of Adoption
The contender in the 2021 KCB
KNRC SPV and Division One log is now
racing against time for his “Certificate
of Adoption” eligibility after visiting
FIA delegates recommended further
upgrades to the EvoX last year.
His Championship-winning EvoX was
inspected by Natacha Di Sivuliu (Project
and Commission Manager-Safety
Department) and Josef Halter (Engineer
delegate from FIA).
“There were some modifications that
were required for the hand-controls that
the FIA Safety Officer had pointed out
 Determination
DRIVERS
MAXINE WAHOME
Hometown: Nairobi
Date of Birth: 21/12/1996
Profession: Kindergarten Teacher
Car Make: Subaru Impreza
Navigator: Chantal Young
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
4th overall open class-KCB National
Autocross Championship at waterfront 2021
Lady Motocross of the Year 2014
3rd overall 2017 motocross
championship in MX 2
AAKIF VIRANI
Lives In: Nairobi
in the inspection report. The modifications were Date of birth: 8/9/1973
to ensure that the hand controls are attached Car: Skoda Fabia R5
securely to the car and that they work smoothly. Navigator: Azhar Bhatti
This is already done to their satisfaction. We Team: Arrow Rally Team
have also changed the rear differential of the car as Occupation: businessman
KNRC Class: Division 1
we were having issues throughout the last season First Rally Car: Skoda Octavia
with it failing regularly.” Favorite Rally driver: Sebastian Loeb
Nikhil reveals that his Specially Prepared Vehicle
(SPV) EvoX is being upgraded in phases well in time
Among the few Kenyan drivers to
compete in WRC3 Class on Safari
for Safari’s long-awaited return. 2nd place autocross in march 2014
Regular KNRC Drivers
“The car is being worked on in Mlolongo and
should be in great shape in time for the Safari. I
hope to test the car during Equator Rally to make
sure the new parts are working as planned.
DILRAJ CHATTHE
During this time of the sporting lull, we are
focusing more on getting the car ready for WRC.
When the FIA delegates had come to assess the
car they had pointed out a few issues that needed
to conform us to their safety standards and
homologation.”
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Date of Birth: 09/06/1997
Hometown: Kisumu
Team: Team Kibos
Sponsors: Kibos Sugar
Profession: businessman
Car Make: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4
Navigator: Gregory Stead
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Did a number of KNRC and Club
events with Riyaz Ismael.
First ever Auto-x win during round 8
in 2013
First ever motorsport event was a
karting event in Rotax Junior Class at
Solai racetrack, Nakuru
Making a comeback to racing after a
long hiatus
Cousin to former Kenya and African
Champion Jassi Chatthe
PARAS PANDYA
Date of Birth: 22/3/ 1981
Team: Synergy Gases
Home: Mombasa
Car: Mitsubishi EvolutionX
Navigator: Falgun Bhojak from Nairobi
Profession: Industrialist
KNRC Division: Division 1
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Participates in MMC Club Rallies
Member of Mombasa motor club
Winner KCB Nakuru Rally Division 1
class
SOHANJEET SINGH
PUEE
Nicknames: Sohan
Team: Team Nanak
Sponsors: Nanak Engineering
Mombasa
| 53

Linet Ayuko, Chantal Young and Maxine Wahome
They dare men, and on several
occasions, match or surpass them
By PETER NJENGA
W
OMEN IN MOTORSPORT are
as old as the discipline in
Kenya. They never believe in
affirmative action. Instead, they dare
men, and on several occasions, match
or surpass them.
A good example is Anne Teith, the
1984 Kenyan champion, and the first
female to be awarded the coveted
Kenya Motor Sports Personality of the
54 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
Year.
The second was Tuta Mionki in
2018 while Helen Shiri bagged the FIA
Secretary of the Event global title. Sylvia
King has been a navigator, publisher,
and now ARC branding consultant.
Mionki is a cultured corporate world
personality having worked for some
of Kenya’s top blue-chip companies
and her training in human resources
certainly plays a big role in her rallying
career.
Mionki has in the past been receiving
rare media rave in the sports page
and TV segments after every national
championship as the navigator of Eric
Bengi, the fast-rising African driver who
started from scratch a decade ago.
All indications point to a rallying
driver following the footsteps of
Patrick Njiru and Jonathan Toroitich,
And Mionki and rally have a formidable
force.
Their consistency notwithstanding,
 Women
DRIVERS
Role: Driver Runners up KCB Autocross 2WD NT
Mentor: Uncle- Vicky singh Championship in 2018
Car: Mitsubishi Evolution X 5th overall Equator Rally
Resides: Mombasa area 10th overall on his second rally in a
Occupation: Businessman 2WD (2018)
Current Navigator: Adnan Din
KNRC Division: Division 1
MCRAE KIMATHI
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Hometown: Meru
2018 Group S and Division 1 Champion
Participates in MMC Club
Championship events
One of the fastest riding young drivers
from the Coast

WOMEN AT THE VERY TOP: Hellen Shiri Kagendo (above) is the Safari event
secretary: Tuta Mionki (below) is a leading navigator
YASIN NASSER
Lives in: Nairobi
Date of Birth: 4/1/1995
Car: Ford Fiesta
Navigator: Shameer Yusuf
Occupation: Accountant
KNRC Class: Division One
CATERER ACHIEVEMENTS
8th Overall ARC Equator Rally 2021
Hometown: Kampala Uganda 5th Overall Meru Rally 2019
Car make: Subaru Impreza 22nd Overall Wrc Candidate Safari 2019
Navigator: Ali Katumba

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: EVANS KAVISI

Reigning Uganda National Rally Champion.
2015 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 9th
overall
18th overall ARC Equator Rally, 2021
Winner Mosac Rally 2019
2nd overall Pearl Of Africa Uganda Rally
2015

Mionki has emerged as Kenya’s top HAMZA ANWAR

rally driver in a male-dominated sport Hometown: Coast Hometown: Nairobi
with a high level of success. She has Date of Birth: 5/5/1987
also brought class and increased the Profession: Architect and
interest of women in the sport. businessman
Car Make: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
On January 19 she was named the Navigator: Absolom Aswani
2018 Kenya Motor Sports Federation CAREER HIGHLIGHTS;
(KMSF) Motor Sport Personality of the 5th overall Arusha Guru Nanak Rally
Year, a trophy last received by a female 2020
driver 34 years ago by Anne Teith who 2021 ARC Equator Rally 13th overall
was also the national rally champion in KNRC Division 2 current leader.
1984. Lives in: Nairobi
Date of Birth: 27/09/98
To have reached this far, Mionki Car: Ford Fiesta
impressed the Electoral College by Navigator: Riyaz Ismail
amassing 60 percent of votes ahead Occupation: Logistics Manager
of other nominees Carl Tundo and Tim KNRC Class: Division Two
Jessop who were the overall national
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
continued on page 56 4th overall in Tanzania \uD83C\uDDF9
\ uD83C\ uDDFF (Guru Nanak 2020)

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 55


continued from page 55
rally champions.
In 2018 Mionki navigated Eric Bengi
to fifth position overall in the Kenya
National Championship. They finished
in a similar position in the Africa Rally
Championship Safari Rally, the highest
position for an all-African crew since
Jonathan Toroitich and Ibrahim Choge
in the 1997 season.
But on the navigator’s standings,
Mionki was first in Group N, first in
Division One, and second overall in the
national championship behind Jessop.
Bengi, a lawyer by profession, and
56 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
Tuta have shown their flair in driving
staring from the lower ranks driving a
Toyota F2 before finally graduating to
the highly potent Subaru Impreza N12,
a 2006 technology compared to the
run-away-top –of- the Mitsubishi Evos
on Tundo and Baldev Chager; or the 2017
R5 Skoda Fabias.
“Besides being a driver, Mionki
also is a senior member of Women in
Motorsport and volunteer technical
official in the sport.
“I am currently in my second year as
the Autocross Commission Chairperson
(having acted in the position for half Mionki and the commission are
of 2017). I have a team of commission working on Women in Motorsport
members and part of our duties include (Kenya) and their role is to try and
administering and controlling the encourage more women and girls to join
formula of the motorsport discipline and return to the sport as competitors
on behalf of KMSF, to formulate and or volunteers as we also try to find
maintain the national competition rules sponsorship for those with rally cars.
and promote the sport among others “I feel blessed but not special,” said
responsibilities. I have been a KMSF Tuta at the award ceremony where she
steward for autocross in a couple of was showered with confetti and sweet
events,” she said. words by rivals and supporters.
“I have also been involved in the past “I have learned that Ann Teith co-won
as a volunteer when not rallying in the motor sportsman of the year in 1984
various capacities as well as part of our with Rob Combes and it feels fantastic
club’s organising team. to have won it 34 years later,” she said.
 Women
DRIVERS
RIO SMITH
Date of birth 15/07/2002
Car Ford Fiesta R2
Team Fly 540
Occupation: Student - University of
Brunnel, United Kingdom
Navigator: Laban Cliff
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Auto Cross Championships
(Bambinos and Vitz - Remodelled)
Quote: “Play with a cat you might just
get scratched ten”
JEREMY WAHOME
Date of birth 14/12/1998
Car Ford Fiesta
Team: Chris Dittmann Racing
Occupation: Racing Driver
Navigator: Victor Okundi
Resides Cheltenham UK
Career Highlights
Teith and Sylvia King are Safari Rally legends. open-wheel formulae, BRDC British
They not only finished the Safari but also won Formula 3 Championship and F3 Asian
the national title in 1984, a feat never matched Championship
2016 BRDC British Formula 3
since.
2015 Graduates to single-seaters
However, driving is just the final product of competing in the Formula BMW Asia
her sporting career which saw her drab in many Cup Series claiming three top rookie
events including football. Her only regret being awards with two runner-up finishes
that she was a goalkeeper instead of being a and Third Place.
striker. 2006 Begins Karting in Kenya
“I am not a Tom boy,” she corrects.
Tuta, took her undergraduate degree at the
Catholic University of Eastern Africa and studied
her master’s at the Nairobi University where she
majored in Human Resources Management
- Peter Njenga is the Media Director, WRC
Safari Rally
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
RAAJI SINGH
BHARIJ
Date of Birth: 29th Jan 1982
HOMETOWN: Nairobi
PROFESSION: Financial Controller
CAR MAKE: EVOX
NAVIGATOR: Jasneil Singh Ghataure
Career Highlights
6th Overall- KCB Voi Rally 2015
Won Pirelli Star driver category on his
Safari Rally debut in 2009
3rd overall -KCB Kisumu Rally 2012
Finished KCB Nakuru Rally 2012 on
three wheels but still managed
5th overall position
4th overall in KMSC Rally in 2010
Previously navigated by Geoff Mayes
Winner of the inaugural Top Fry 1000
Classic Rally held in Baringo County in
2016.
AMANRAJ SINGH
RAI
Hometown: Uganda
Date of Birth: 05/01/93
Car: Ford Fiesta R5
Team: Rai Racing
Sponsorship: Timsales and Comply
Navigator: Gurdeep Panesar
Place of study: University of Edinburgh
Favirote Tv Show: Breaking Bad
Favirote Movie: Rush
Person you would like to have dinner
with: Bill Gates
| 57

Critical behind-the-scenes
makers of rally champions
By SAMSON ATEKA
D
RIVERS, NAVIGATORS, a pairing
that must have full trust and
faith in one another. All drivers
select their co-driver themselves; for
the simple reason that there is need to
understand each other perfectly well.
The correct “chemistry” is paramount.
Kenya National Rally Championship
(KNRC) Two Wheel Drive Navigators
Champion Wayne Fernandes in painting
a picture into the navigators’ world,
narrates: “For the co-driver it’s a matter
of the driver listening to his instructions
and doing what he’s being told to do.
58 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Navigators
And for the driver, depending on the co-
driver to call the right note at the right
time and not a left instead of a right.”
 Fernandes goes on to expound more
on the good-humoured behind the
wheel partnership: “it’s for better or
worse - just like in a marriage - the
better being winning trophies at prize
giving and the worse being ending up on
your roof.
The crew on many occasions fall out
because of mistakes made and like they
say rally drivers are mad... but co-drivers
are even more insane for trusting their
lives with mad rally drivers that push
cars to the limits on turns twists and
jumps. The kosanaing sets in when
either does or says the opposite or
wrong thing to what is meant to be done
or called. For example, calling a slow
left turn and it›s taken as a fast causing
damage to the car or time lost and vice
-versa called a triple caution and its
ignored and taken flat-out ending up in
the same result-damage or time lost.»
“The main responsibility of the co-
driver is timing. He’s actually the one
who informs the driver what time they
are to check into a control, into and out
of service and also match/compare/
keep note of his timing at the flying
finish.
“A rally can be won or lost by a mere
one second, for example for an early
check into a control or service is one
minute per second and a late entry
is 10seconds per minute, which adds
 Navigators
DRIVERS
First Road Car: 1989 Range Rover Career best 2nd Overall in 2WD in
First Rally Car: Mitsubishi 2006
First Rally Event and Result: Safari
Rally 2013 STEPHEN MWANGI
Favourite All-time Rally Driver: Colin
McRae
Most Admired Sports Person: Sir Alex
Ferguson

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Kisumu FCS Rally 2014: 3rd Overall
driving Rajbir Rai’s VW Golf Mk2
Previously One of the leading 2WD
Non-Turbo drivers in the Kenya National
Autocross Championship
Relocated to Uganda and will be Home Town: Kangari Muranga’a County
racing on a Ugandan licence. Date of birth: 07/10/1976
Car: Subaru Impreza
Navigator: Dennis Mwenda
IZHAR MIRZA Occupation: Clearing & Forwarding

NZIOKA WAITA

to your cumulative times, where you are
allowed 15minutes lateness on a stage
Hometown: Mombasa
Date of Birth: 25/01/1983
Car Make: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
Profession: Businessman
Sponsorship: Ciast Pekee
Navigator: Kavit Dave
MINESH RATHOD
Hometown: Nairobi
Date of Birth: 24/10/1975
Car: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
Profession: Chief of Staff of Kenya’s
State House and Head of Kenya’s
Presidential Delivery Unit
Navigator: Tuta Mionki

or 30minutes overall. So the driver is CAREER HIGHLIGHTS;

a hundred percent dependent on the
co-driver to give them accurate times,
and this is why GPS (Global Positioning
System) timings are used as it is as
accurate as can be to the second. A wrong
time of one second can be very costly and
result in loss of position or being time
barred and disqualified from the rally.”
So how exactly is an itinerary created,
and what does the co-driver have to know?
An itinerary is a detailed time chart
description of the whole rally in time and
distance and location/stage made by
organizers to guide co-drivers in terms of
how many minutes the crew has to get
continued on page 60
2021 ARC Equator Rally 11th overall
2019 Safari Rally 24th overall.
REHAN SHAH
Hometown: Nairobi
Date of Birth: 8/10/1969
Occupation: Mechanic/ Businessman
Car Make: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
Navigator: Zahir Shah
KNRC Class: Division 1
Achievements Date of birth: 16/06/192
Car Sabaru Impeza
Former 2WD Contender in a colt
Team: Betika
Lancer
East African Safari Classic 1600cc Occupation: Racing Driver
Class winner 2007 2009, 2011 Navigator: Harshil Limbani

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 59


Norris Ongalo, (centre), the Safari Safety Officer, learnt the ropes at the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy and is one of the Kenyan navigators contributing most to
development of the sports management. He is with his navigator George Mwangi ( left) and Media Safety Officer Anwar SIdi.
continued from page 59
from one-time control start to the start
of the next stage within their minute;
also show the distance of point to point
refuels, so the co-driver can advise the
driver when and where to make the
next refuel. Also give the co-driver the
format of what stages are run and in
what order, before the service or refuel
and the end.
The glory in motorsport usually rests
with the driver behind the wheel. They
are the ones who take the credit for the
team success.
Veteran navigator Abdul Sidi thinks
otherwise. Abdul has navigated some
of Kenya’s legendary drivers like Patrick
Njiru and co-driven in18 Safari rallies
finishing in 15. Abdul, reveals that
behind every great driver there is always
a spot on navigator.
But he adds that sheer commitment
of every member of a rallying crew;
before the navigator takes over. The he
60 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
requires the support and confidence of
the driver:
“For your pace-notes to work,
the driver needs to have faith in his
passenger – navigator -- on the
adjacent bucket seat”
He recalls some of the long-haul
tasks: “For example, the Safari was
a mammoth 5, 800kms drive. It left
competitors bruised and battered.
There were 98-time controls back in
the day. This time the FIA (International
Automobile Association) has made
it simpler. Nowadays, the stages are
shorter. The longest stage at that time
was 220kms. Now the longest stage is
34kms”.
“But for a navigator whether the
stages are long or short, it’s just the
same dedication. It calls for the same
weightiness. You need to be committed.
As a navigator you are the boss in the
car. You are the singer in the cockpit.
You are singing and the driver is
dancing to the music.Imagine where
instructions are coming after every
30-40 meters and the car is cruising at
200kph. It’s not a joke.”
A navigator can make you either win
or lose a rally. Navigators can make you
a hero or a zero.
“In a very short stage when a
navigator misses a note or makes a
wrong slot, it may be game over”
Abdul is also excited by the fact
that the WRC Safari Rally Kenya will
be a navigator’s affair rally due to its
technical nature of the terrain. “The
stages are too tight as there are a lot of
junctions. You can imagine the speeds
these cars do at 200khp. The WRC car
is very powerful, so the navigator has
to be keen, very tight, fit and ready call
instructions under pressure.”
“Before every event, a navigator must
go out with the driver to the route a day
prior for reconnaissance to familiarize
with the route. That’s where the
navigators make the pace-notes. In the
car, the driver doesn’t have time to ask
 Opinion
DRIVERS
Resides Nairobi Performance
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Navigator Edward Njoroge
Podium winner Autocross Resides Nairobi
Rally debut 2017
2017 Winner championship of 4WD CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
turbo 2014 Muranga Time Trial Rally Finisher
2016 Nyaribo Time Trial 1st postion
Gymkhana
OSMAN ABDULAHI 2018 – Muranga Time Trial Hill Climb
Ist Runner up
2018 Masinga Time Tril First Edition
Gymkhana 1st Runner Up
Tuta Mionki will navigate for Nzioka Waita 2019 Masinga Time Trial -Drag Race
-Ist Runner up
2019 Whistling Moran Athi Time
Track fest 2nd runner up,

HASSAN ALWI

Date of Birth 09/06/1979

Car Sabura Impreza
Resides: Nairobi
Occupation: Business Man Fuel and
Logistics
Sponosor Extreme Performance
Navigator: Evans Mwenda

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Five seasons in competitive Rallying
First Attempt finish KNRC Kisumu
Rally 13th Overall
KNRC Mombasa Rally 2017 no 9
Riaz Ismail, a rising navigator, is this time co-driving young Hamza Anwar Competed in Regional Rallies including Nationality: Ugandan
Rwanda
An enthusiast of rally and managed to
you what you said. That is time wasted. attend WRC Safari rallies in 1998 -2002
If you miss a note, quickly say what he
has missed. So that you are not hitting
the next instruction unawares; which
ANDREW
might be a triple caution. You must also WANYOIKE
manage time so that you don’t attract
penalties by checking into controls early MUIRURU
or late.”
Abdul currently runs the Abdul Sidi
Rally Academy (ASRA) where he uses his
experience in rallying to train rally drivers,
controllers and stage commanders. He
helps create an avenue for young people
to join the sport at a basic level. “Nobody
taught me how to teach rallying, it’s
the experience and passion that I
have gathered as a navigator with an
experience of over 25 years”. Date of Birth 10/02/1985
Car Sabura Impreza
Team Betika
Occupation: Business Man Extreme

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 61

 President Uhuru Kenyatta tries out the Toyota car with Toyota Kenya CEO Arvinder Reel

President Kenyatta: The Safari Rally is

now here, and is here to stay!
P
RESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA has
said Kenya is adequately prepared
to welcome back the World Rally
Championship (WRC) Safari Rally,
assuring that the rally “is here to stay.”
At the same time, the President
urged Kenyan motorsport enthusiasts
who will be attending the four-day
Safari Rally to be careful, saying it had
taken the country years of negotiations
and preparations to bring back the
WRC event after an 18-year absence.
“It was 2010 when we started trying
to work with WRC to ask them to get
back. There were a lot of hurdles along
the way.
“The preparations have been intense
and I want to thank all agencies, our

62 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 HEPresident
From left: Sports Principal Secretary Joe Okudo, Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, KCB Bank CEO
Joshua Oigara, President Uhuru Kenyatta, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, Toyota Kenya CEO Arvinder
Reel, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and WRC Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi.

private sector, and rally enthusiasts who have

given their time and effort to ensure that this
event takes place.
“My hope and my prayer is that the manner
in which we shall conduct ourselves over the
next few days will be such that everybody will
accept and understand that the Safari Rally
is now here and is here to stay, and we’re not
likely to lose it.
“But that will depend on not only how
you the drivers all perform, all the agencies
involved will perform but how Kenyans From left to right: President Uhuru Kenyatta, WRC Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi, WRC Safari
Rally Event Director Jim Kahumbura and Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed at Soysambu
continued on page 64
during the ARC Equator Rally in April. President Kenyatta says the Safari Rally is there to stay in the
World Rally Championship.

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 63

 Opinion

continued from page 63

themselves will behave,” the President
said.
The Head of State spoke on Thursday
- on the eve of rally week - at State
House, Nairobi, when he presented
brand new rally cars to young Kenyan
drivers Hamza Anwar (22), McRae
Kimathi (26) and Jeremy Wahome (22).
The three drivers are sponsored for
the WRC Safari Rally by Safaricom and President Uhuru Kenyatta (in red cap) encourages Kenya’s top hope in the Safari, Carl Tundo
Kenya Airways.
The President wished the young retains it long term. personal involvement in lobbying for the
drivers success in the Safari Rally “To all the sponsors, thank you very return of the WRC Safari Rally.
and in future local and international much. Please don’t treat this as a “Thank you for bringing the rally back
motorsport telling them to always be one-off event, mark it in your annual home. We are extremely grateful to you,”
good Kenya Ambassadors. budgetary calendars. We will be looking CS Amina told the President, adding
At the event attended by CEO’s Peter to you to help us maintain this rally here that the return of WRC Safari Rally will
Ndegwa (Safaricom), Allan Kilavuka in Kenya,” the President said. re-ignite Kenya’s motorsport heritage.
(Kenya Airways) and Joshua Oigara Sports CS Amina Mohamed, who also Also present at the handover
(KCB), the President urged the Kenyan spoke at the event, also attended by ceremony were Sports PS Joe Okudo
corporate sponsors of the 2021 WRC motorsport veterans Ian Duncan, Onkar and Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi
Safari Rally to continue supporting the Rai and Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, and Onka among other motorsport officials and
event in future so as to ensure Kenya Rai thanked President Kenyatta for his enthusiasts.

64 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

Opinion

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 65

 Opinion
Naivasha tourism:
Business gets big boost

By WAIRIMU NYATHIRA

N
AIVASHA MEANS ‘rough water’ and
is the home of motorsport. The
name originated from a Maasai
phrase “Nai Posha”.
It is a large town in Nakuru County,
Kenya, lying 92.8 kilometres by road
northwest of the Kenyan capital,
Nairobi.
Naivasha opened its doors to the
hard-knock advanced team of the ARC
Equator Rally two months ago and
continues to be a beehive of activities
heading into WRC Safari Rally.
It is also a city that has stolen lovers’ Historically, it is known to have the Naivasha are endearing, captivating
hearts all over the world with its flowers. first Kenyan international airport with at sunrise, and panoramic in the late
The city of love as it is commonly planes from Europe landing in the water evening as the water absorbs light
reffered to, produces roses, hypericums, of Lake Naivasha long before air travel always bounced back in a silhouette
and carnations, which are transported became commonplace in the East commanding the hippos to come out to
by cargo planes to various continental African region.
European cities daily. The marvelous blue waters of Lake continued on page 68

66 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Tourism

Naivasha: Above left, the Inland

Container deport (Dry Port), will
68.25
Number of square
offload 60 containers transported
kilometres covering Hell’s
from Mombasa for the Safari rally.
Above, Victor Otieno (left), Security
Gate National Park south
officer at the port, briefing Safari Rally east of lake Naivasha
Head of Media, Ellias Makori

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 67


continued from page 66
nearby grazing field.
On a normal morning, one can be
captivated by fishermen who feed the
city and other neighbouring towns.
Even before the sun rises, the
fishermen are already at work, trying
to score Tilapia or the Common Crap.
Eaters like Kamere have become a vital
source of economic activities.
Surrounded by natural bounty, like the
yellow fever tree, the lake is a world-
class birding destination.
If you are looking for adventure, you
will spot a giraffe wandering, buffalos
wallowing in the swamps, and colobus
68 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Tourism
monkeys playing tricks and high jumping
on the tress.
As the fishermen start to halt to shore
the hippos come to life after basking in
the shallow waters.
Southwest of the lake lies Hell’s Gate
National Park which covers 68.25 square
km and about 90 km from Nairobi.
The park is 14 km after the turnoff
from the old Nairobi-Naivasha highway.
Hell’s Gate is a wildlife sanctuary
and home to one of the most unusual
antelope species Chanler’s mountain
reedbuck, giraffes aand buffalos.
While hiking, horse riding or cycling,
lucky tourist are likely to see spotted
hyena or a black-backed jackal.
The park, the setting of the Holywood
motion picture Tomb Riders, has
remarkable scenery like the red-tinged
towering cliffs, geothermal steam, and
scrub-clad volcanoes giving the park a
thrilling and artistic atmosphere.
Naivasha is the hub for the operations
of the ARC Safari Rally, with a Service
Park housing all Safari infrastructure
and facilities.
Theperiod between June 24-27, 2021
will provide asction packed WRC Safari
Rally and vehicles will be tested to the
limit.
 Tourism

Naivasha, ARC Equator Rally 2021. Picture Courtesy SILA KIPLAGAT

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 69


We are secure:
Police service
gives assurance
By GISHINGA NJOROGE
P
OLICE COMMISSIONER Julius M
Kabiru is in charge of security for
the WRC Safari Rally. It is a huge
responsibility.
An event for the assembly in
Kenya of so many from all over
the world calls for maximum
security and guarding against
numerous challenges including
natural disasters where emergency
operations need instant activation.
In November 2019, Commissioner
Kabiru was in Australia to benchmark
on how the Aussies secure their own
round of the WRC.
This would come in handy for his
own work in Kenya where the Safari
Rally’s return to the world circuit was
slated for July 2019.
The famed forest fires that
intermittently plague Australia broke
on a devastating scale.
Kabiru watched as officials made
the hard decision that the event, due
in a matter of hours, was cancelled.
He returned home with a lesson.
Something like this, apart from the
normal global challenges of terrorism
and general disorder [even political]
could occur on his Safari Rally watch.
Nowhere in his mind did he think
that even a bigger monster, such as
Covid-19, that shut down Kenya in
March 2019, would occur. Safari’s
70 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Security
anticipated return to the WRC was
cancelled. Commissioner Kabiru’s
mind must have flown back to
Australia.
But he has kept focus since then.
He is in charge of a large population
– a Safari operation of over 1,500
ordinary wananchi working as
Safari Rally route marshalls, scores
of organising committee officials,
consultant road and civil engineers,
suppliers … all involved in the Safari.
He must ensure they are safe and
that their work goes on without
being hindered.
That is even before tackling the
paying of attention to the visiting
world; that will arrive here in human
and technical cargo - through ports,
airports and land borders -for the
Safari Rally (June 24-27 2021).
However, the Safari community
have watched in admiration and
awe, how a rare man stays on his
feet, on the right stride and copes
remarkably; without crumbling under
the huge weight on his shoulders.
Young and old, sporty, moody …
and the rest, in the Safari ‘sphere’
have grown, in the past over-two-
years, to feel secure under the
umbrella of Commissioner Kabiru:
many, though, are on a rush to
him for mundane matters such as
“passes” to transverse the Safari
region during lock-down hours of
Commissioner of Police
Julius Kabiru at the WRC
Safari Rally Kenya Service
Park at the Kenya Wildlife
Service Training Institute,
the rally’s nerve centre
, during preparations
for the WRC Safari Rally
Kenya; Right: Kabiru
(extreme right) and
Sports Cabinet Secretary
Amina Mohamed (centre)
pose with a crack, elite
women-only squad that’s
part of the rally’s security
detail.
the biting Covid-19 cessation of
movement.
Sports people are rare breeds and
Commissioner Kabiru, from his posh
offices at the National Police Service
headquarters has learnt to pay
attention to the needs – and often
excuses – of so many.
What does he think about the
rallying population and “sporties” in
general?
He quips: “Don’t forget, believe it or
not, am one of them. My passion is
football and volleyball which I played
and loved.
“Rallying, pheew, as a kid I was out
in the cold and the rain, at four in
the morning, exhilarated waiting for
my heros. They never let me down …
Joginder [Singh] and Shekhar Mehta.”
Commissioner Kabiru, apparently
is the name on the lips of the strong
Safari Rally organising force, even
though his operations visibly involve
so many others, including supremely
confident [and beautiful] women,
high ranking in his outlay of Safari
Rally protection.
Headquarters (Police) must be
watching Commissioner Kabiru
keenly; to deliver as well as others in
the Service that has become - and
was since Kenya’s early days of
independence – a bulwark of Kenya’s
world class sports performance.
The Police in Kenya are
 Security

traditionally strong in the sports of

athletics, martial arts and shooting
in particular. A bulk of Kenya athletics
Olympic gold medallists and world
record holders served or are now
serving Police officers including the
outstanding:
Kipchoge Keino
Daniel Rudisha
Ezekiel Kemboi
Samuel Wanjiru
David Rudisha
Vivian Cheruiyot
Janeth Jepkosgei
Pamela Jelimo
Julius Yego
Geoffrey Kamworor mostly navigated by his brother Patrick. theatre of operations, and even if you
But even when Commissioner Virtually all at the Safari Rally are a motor mechanic or a plumber,
Kabiru started following the exploits organisation, feel the freely available “throw a spanner in the works”.
of his beloved Joginder and Mehta, protection of Commissioner Kabiru A close rallying type friend of the
he probably did not know that the and his officers. They always expect, Commissioner says he advices him
Kenya Police (as the organisation was at Safari forums in Naivasha or to turn the screws on those in the
known then) were, among indigenous Nairobi, to see him first and to be ever organisation that may occasionally
Africans, the first to be involved in the present till closure of day’s business. cross the red-line.
Safari. There is a general opinion that that “I tell him in this situation, he should
Records show that the Kenya Police Commissioner Kabiru, his men and warn the culprit, from the book of my
Rally Club, entered their first Safari in women, live under the fabled motto favourite Hollywood [cowboy] western:
1970, M Sove and G Simiyu driving Car of the Marines or SWAT (Special ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’
No. 77, a Ford Cortina GT. They repeated Weapons and Tactics) teams in any - Gishinga Njoroge, Consultant
the following year in a Ford Escort. situation, especially the difficult/tricky/ Project Coordinator (Planning,
Other police officers were the dangerous, of: “First in, Last Out”. Deliver and Editorial) WRC Safari
1974 Police Club entry, Car No. 83 of Nevertheless, they have also come to Rally Kenya.
Hassan Kigotho and Peter Waweru. realise and tasted the non-nonsense - Additional research contribution
The most famous of this club was work ethic of Commissioner Kabiru. by William Kabugi, Media Dept,
Superintendent Patrick Mukuru Splendid in his meticulous work ethic, WRC Safari Rally Kenya
Mukundi, for many years a regular, you don’t want to be around his area

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 71


Peter Shiyukah (right) has a hearty East African Safari send-off from newly-independent Kenya’s founding President Jomo Kenyatta
Africans who blazed trail for
Njiru, Toroitich, Kimathi …
By GISHINGA NJOROGE
W
HEN THE CORONATION Rally
was inaugurated in 1953,
Kenya was a British Colony and
races were segregated. The foreigners,
of European Caucasian descent
segregated the indigenous Africans and
Arabs and immigrant Asians.
They lived separately, in social,
economic and political set-up and
largely also in sport. In fact, for example,
it was in association football (soccer)
that Africans played against or with
European settlers. But interestingly
one of the leading sports highlights
in the Colony was, Africans excluded,
the annual European Settlers v Asians
cricket tie.
Eric Cecil, though a Colonial “era-ist”
Coronation Rally (later the East African
Safari Rally) founder, he once said in an
interview:
72 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Opinion
“Our sport (rallying, especially the
Safari) was the first in Colonial Kenya
and East Africa, to embrace racial
harmony. I mean, you were out there in
the wild and you needed every brother …
so in the Safari it was all about minding
each other’s back; hence you didn’t care
what colour was your mechanic, crew or
even the ordinary folk who pushed your
car out of a bog …
“It may look the Asians were the first
to join Europeans in the Safari but you
can imagine Africans were involved,
right from the start to play a great role
even in the earliest glorious feats in the
Safari.”
Nevertheless, it was in 1962 when
the first African (pair) crew took part in
their first Safari Rally. It was J. Mwangi
and N. Murui who drove a Volkswagen,
Car No. The following year S. Mwangi,
navigated by K. Karare drove Car No. 51,
a FIAT 1500.
In 1964 we saw Aziz Yakub with
Cheboiywo arap Lang’at entered Renault
Roho.
This is by no means a full account
of the African entry and exploits in
the early Safari days. It just whets the
appetite of knowing some of the names
of the African pioneers who blazed the
trail for when Patrick Njiru, the 1990
WRC Group N champion, would capture
the imagination of the whole Kenyan
nation as the “African” hero.
Njiru was to be joined in the annals
of lofty African participation by among
others:
Jonathan Toroitich
David Anunda
Phineas Kimathi
Gregory Kibiti
John Ngunjiri
Jimmy Wahome
Jim Kahumbura
History

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 73

#REDISCOVERTHEMAGIC
 Safari Rally legend Patrick Njiru rushes to take off during the 1989 rally.
Early East African Safari: Sport that
defied colonial racial separation
By GISHINGA NJOROGE
T
HE SAFARI STARTED in 1953, as the
East African Coronation Rally, to
commemorate the becoming Queen
of England, Queen Elizabeth II. It was in
1952, while holidaying in Kenya that she
learnt of the death of her father, King
George V1 and she practically ascended
to the throne. It was therefore in 1953
that “her subjects” in Kenya created the
Safari to mark he coronation.
Motorsport uniquely shelved other
serious matters for people of East Africa
to come together as one, in sport and
adventure. Why, wasn’t it at the same
time, 1952, when Africans had begun
an uprising, protesting dehumanizing
British rule that stole their land bruised
their dignity under the race segregation
law?
The Kenya Land and Freedom (KLF)
Forces (a.k.a Mau Mau) were making
movement dangerous in most of Central
Kenya, Nairobi and Rift Valley. Usually, in
similar circumstances round the world,
sport is postponed. Not with the Safari.
No edition of the event failed to run in
all the Easter dates of the Mau Mau era.
Indeed, the Safari was a much-awaited
peaceful distraction from the awful
Colony versus Mau Mau blood-letting of
that ‘Emergency’ era.
The top Safari drivers such as Cecil
74 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
and others winners like Vic Preston
Senior, Gus Hofmann, D P Marwaha, Bill
Fritschy, John Manussis, Tommy Fjastad
and later Nick Nowicki and Peter Hughes
at the dawn of Kenya’s independence,
were all-round heroes irrespective of
their race. The first “Muhindi” winner,
Joginder Singh in 1965, assumed a
“Saint” status, and celebrated to dizzy
heights when he won again in 1974 and
’76.
Almost right from the word ‘Go’,
even though it was the “Mzungu” who
had initiated the Coronation Rally
competition, the “Muhindi” and shortly
after, the “Mwafrika” joined in to take
part. Unprecedented because they,
hitherto these races went to different
schools, lived in separate zones
-- in towns and rural farming areas
-- and adored in separate religious
establishment. Even in sport, they
played separately; occasionally all-White
cricket teams played all-Asian Select
X1s and White and Black had separate
football teams, occasionally mixing in a
Colonial Kenya X1 for the Gossage Cup
or when a visiting team from Britain or
South Africa made an incoming tour.
Of course, Rugby, was a purely White
reserve.
In motorsport and more so in the
Safari annals, “Mzungu”, “Muhindi” and
“Mwafrika” is folklore that has escaped
being adjudged as racist and rather
attracts genuine much-loved “teams”.
Elsewhere, like in America, they played
separately, as in the Major [White]
League and the Negro League baseball.
In the Safari, they played together.
To this day, the exploits of “African”
drivers in the Safari continues to be a
big discussion. The Kenya National Rally
Championship (KNRC) current leading
African driver, Eric Bengi, a young lawyer,
cannot escape comparison as to how
good he is compared to his “brother”
predecessors namely:
Patrick Njiru
Jonathan Toroitich
Phineas Kimathi
David Anunda
Joseph Ngunjiri
Jim Kahumbura
Jimmy Wahome
Gregory Kibiti
George Githu
Mohammed Jama “Blackie” Noor
Peter Shiyukah
Peter Mukuru Mukundi
Njoroge [Waboro] Njuguna
Eliud Thuku
Amon Njathi, among others.
Whenever the Safari wheels roll, the
majority of Kenya citizens, who are
Black, will always be intrigued how
one of their “own” fairs. Of course the

Most successful Black
driver in history of the
Safari Patrick Njiru (KEN)
Patrick Njiru holds the record of the
highest placed Black driver in the Safari
Rally -- an all-time best fourth place,
out of 14 finishers in the 1994 edition
-- having competed entirely during
the event’s high profile World Rally
Championship days.
Njiru’s first finish of the rally was in
19th out of 23 in the 1987 Safari where,
with David Anunda, they were the
prominent Black entries. Anunda was
22/23.
Njiru earned international acclaim
when in the 1990 WRC Safari, he
became the first man in the world to
bring home a [Standard] Group ‘N’ car
home in a WRC event. His Subaru Legacy
with Dave Williamson was eighth out of
10 finishers of the Safari that year.
Njiru regularly became a worthy
competitor against top foreign WRC
drivers during his semi-professional
career for the Japanese Subaru team –
STi (Subaru Tecnica International (STi)
Njiru also drove in the rallies of
Zimbabwe, South Africa, India, Australia
and Malaysia
- William Kabugi
greatest satisfaction of Kenyans is that
the Safari has such a proud sporting
history that sits with the biggest in
the world such as the Fifa World Cup,
the Olympics and the African Games.
The Safari was, according to more than
just Kenyans, the greatest, toughest,
most exciting event of the World Rally
History
Jonathan Toroitich
Jim Kahumbura
Championship (WRC), a position it
occupied between 1973 and 2002.
The world’s best drivers and rally
car manufacturers had for many
years the Safari as a top priority in
the WRC. Kenyan and indeed, East
Africa, excitement was how their “own”
“Mzungu”, “Muhindi” and “Mwafrika”
drivers would perform against the
invading world super stars.
Perhaps the most amazing aspect
of the Safari was the participation of
(indigenous) Africans who clearly during
the colonial era and later had to go over
high hurdles to even just manage to
make an entry in the Safari; the costs,
the skills required. Colonialism placed
a lot of economic blocks and it was
to continue in the immediate post-
independence (1963) era.
Yet, the history of Africans in the
Safari is replete with dogged sportsmen
who managed to enter the event in the
continued on page 76
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Phineas Kimathi:
WRC Safari Rally days’
competitor, now CEO
WRC Safari Rally Kenya
Phineas Kimathi kept the local
drivers’ light burning after the all-
time successful Patrick Njiru and
Jonathan Toroitich.
Kimathi’s debut Safari finish was
13th out of 14 when Njiru placed his
best fourth in 1994.
Kimathi was to be among the
enviable finishers in 1999 and
2000 when the Safari was still
a WRC event. Since the Safari’s
loss of WRC status after the 2002
season, Kimathi is one who can tell
the current crop of KNRC drivers
what a world of competitive,
car technology, team and even
management difference the WRC is
to the domestic sport.
His sole dedication in
administration of the Kenya Motor
Sports Federation (KMSF) of which
he is President.
Kimathi tirelessly worked to
convince the FIA (Fédération
Internationale de l’Automobile)
to include the Safari on the WRC
circuit, achieving that in 2019.
Kimathi now has an inside-
track of the sport’s top decision
making body after being appointed
as regional (Africa and Asia)
representative in the WRC Rally
Commission.
- William Kabugi
| 75
 History
Sospeter Munyegera becomes the first
Uganda’s Sospeter Black man to “finish” the Safari in 1969,
Munyegera (right) ..
with Mohammed Giga in Saab 96 D
Trail blazing pioneeer,
first black man to 1300. Munyegera was “Tail-End-Charlie,
complete the East 31st/31)
African Safari Rally. Munyegera’s first Safari entry was in
1965, incidentally co-driven by a Kenyan
Njuguna [Waboro] Njoroge in a DKW.

First ‘finishers’ of Safari:

Peter Shiyukah/David Ndambo (KEN)
(1971)
Eliud Thuku/ Njuguna [Waboro]
Njoroge (1971)
After partnering Uganda’s Sospeter
Munyegera for their debut in the Safari in
1965, Kenya’s Njuguna [Waboro] Njoroge
was an experienced man of five Safaris
before in 1971 he accompanied Eliud
Thuku, in a Datsun 1600sss, to be, in in
31st place of 31 finishers, one of two first
Kenyan African crews to complete the
entire course of the Safari.
The other great men of the day,
who finished at position 21/31 were a
Government Permanent Secretary, Peter
Shiyukah and David Ndambo, who drove
another Datsun 1600sss.
This year saw the unprecedented entry
of a large African contingent (14 cars), very
enthusiastically beaming with confidence
that their “time had come”. This included
interesting entries. A senior Government
official, the Rift Valley Province Works
Officer Kim Gatende, on his second Safari
(debut in 1965) and a University of Nairobi
lecturer, Cyrus Kamundia who co-drove
Gitau Gichuru in a Datsun 1600sss.

First Safari entrants:

Mohammed Jama ‘Backie’ Noor (right) passed away recently. Iconic Somali driver of the early East African Safari.
continued from page 75
sixth year (1958) after launch. Oh, and
Black women also made a mark. In 1974,
Mary Ondieki (the latterly Marie Rogo-
Manduli) and Pamela Anyango were the
first to enter the Safari.
In entering the mammoth, over
5,000 kilometre Safari Rally of old, was
considered a feat for the African before
even the bigger challenge, completing
the event, became the mark of historic
achievement.
Some milestones for the indigenous
people First ‘finisher’ of Safari: Sospeter
Munyegera (Uganda) 1969
The Safari was always an East
African event and therefore Africans
were generally jubilant when Uganda’s
Karoki Gikaria/Otinda Ondongo
(KEN) Ford Anglia
Maina Kipsoke/Toiyon Kipsoke (KEN)
Morris Minor 100
The first Black Safari Rally ‘finishers’
occupy the pride-of-place in the event’s
annals but one thrillingly discovered the
little publicized event of the very first
Black people to enter the Safari.
These were in fact two car entries, in
1958. Karoki Gikaria and Otinda Ondongo
entered in an Anglia and so did brothers
pair of Maina and Toiyon Kipsoke, a
Morris Minor 100 for this landmark feat.
Gishinga NjorogeWriting by
GISHINGA NJOROGE; research by
William Kabugi and Gishinga Njoroge

76 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 History
Early African participation in the Safari Rally
1962
No. 1st Driver 2nd Driver Car
38 J Mwangi N Murui VW
1963
No. 1st Driver 2nd Driver Car
51 S Mwangi K karare FIAT 1500
1964
No. 1st Driver 2nd Driver Car
36 Aziz Yakub Cheboiywo Arap Langat Renault
72 Sospeter Munyegera Noor Mohammed SAAB GL
1965
No. 1st Driver 2nd Driver Car
11 Fred Ziwa Daudi Ochieng SAAB 96
Sospeter Munyegera Njuguna Waboro DKW
1966
No. 1st Driver 2nd Driver Car
82 Sospeter Munyegera Njoroge Njuguna SAAB
1967
No. 1st Driver 2nd Driver Car
84 Kim Gatende VW
1968
58 Aziz Yakub Gitau Gichuru SAAB
62 Amon Njathi Eliud Thuku Ford Cortina
70 Murutia Muriu P Kariuki p. 404
72 Edward Mbogori Kimani Mwaura Ford Anglia Deluxe
74 Geoffrey Gatende Janes Nesbitt VW
1969
50 Amon Njathi Eliud Thuku Alfa Romeo
88 David Ndambo VW
89 John Wairegi John Munge Volvo 1225
1970
47 Kim Gatende Amon Njathi Datsun 1600
33 Sospeter Munyegera E Nicholson SAAB
52 Peter Shiyukah Hassan Musa Datsun 1600
65 Eliud Thuku Njuguna Njoroge Datsun 1600
67 M Kisongo S Taber SAAB
72 Aziz Yakub J Rathod Datsun 1600
74 I Sabbi M. Ndahura p. 40c
77 M Sove G Simiyu (Kenya police Rally club) Ford Cortina G.T
83 J. Munge Z Muthota Volvo 1225
87 J Kulubya E Ntege Mazda 1200
91 H Thuku W Mbira Ford Escort
1971
47 Kim Gatende Hassan Musa Datsun 1600
51 Aziz Yakub J Rathod Renault 16TS
56 Peter Shiyukah D Ndambo Datsun 1600
68 Sospeter Munyegera E Ntege Subaru 1100
71 M Sove C Simiyu (Kenya Police) Ford Escort
74 Sospeter Onyango H. Waweru Alfa Romeo
83 Amon Njathi P Kihara Datsun 1600
84 Eliud Thuku Njoroge Njuguna Datsun 1600
91 J Kulubya M Kisongo Datsun 1600
98 Asumali Tunju J Mbugua Mazda 1300 1994: Safari winner Ian Duncan (left) and fourth-placed Patrick Njiru (second
99 Harry Thuku Mbira Ford escort from left) with their navigators Dave Williamson (second from right for Duncan)
and Abdul Sidi for Njiru. Above: Patrick Njiru and Abdul Sidi in competition.
100 P Wekhomba J Biketi Peugeot
103 S Weru P Kituku Datsun 1600 93 Christopher Lutu Edward Ntege Datsun 1600 555
106 J Mugambi A Domiano Datsun 1600 1973
107 Mwanga Ibrahim E Mughal Mazda 40 David Ndambo Justus Solomon Datsun 1600 555
111 N Kago Charles Mukora Datsun 1600 63 Eliud Thuku Njoroge Njuguna Datsun 1600 555
1972 64 Abdul Mbiru Zidiheri Mbura Datsun 160B
16 Peter Shiyukah David Ndambo Ford Escort AS 1600 67 Hannington Wamera Sylvester Onyango Volvo 1445
38 Kim Gatende Peter Wekhomba Datsun 1600 555 69 Peter Wekhomba DR.N. Wekesa Peugeot 504
39 Eliud Thuku Njoroge Njuguna Datsun 1600 555 79 Hassan Kigotho Peter Waweru(Kenya Police) Datsun 1600 555
50 Gitau Gichuru Cyrus Kamundia Datsun 1600 555 80 Amon Njathi Harry Thuku Datsun 1600 555
57 Sylvester Onyango Francis Oduor Alfa Romeo C.T.V 82 Wachira Githanda John Munge Peugeot 504
71 Hamington Wamera Prem Choda Volvo 1445 83 Peter Karanja Peter Kamau Ford Escort
80 Harry Thuku Wilfred Mbira Datsun 1600 555 84 Mukirai Kinungi Wilfred Mbira Datsun 1600 555
81 John Kulubya Simiyu Peugeot 504 89 Zidiheri Mbura Abdul Mbiru Ford Escort 1300
89 Abdul Mbiru Zidiheri Mbura Datsun 1600 91 Tom Mulamula Jeremiah Musamali Datsun 1600 555
91 Sidon Mosha Peter Mosha Cortina Continued on page 66

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 77

 History
Early Black African
‘finishers’ of the
Safari (up to 2002,
end of WRC era)
Orie Rogo-Manduli (left), the pioneering woman Safari Rally driver, with
another Safari icon Bharat Bhardwaj (right) who became Safari chairman.
1969: 31/31 Sospeter Munyegera/Giga Noormohamed (UGA) - Saab 96 D 1300
1974 1971: 22 Peter Shiyukah/David Ndambo (KEN) - Datsun 1600SSS
60 Peter Shiyukah Jagit Kalsi Datsun 1600 555
71 Kim Gatende Hassan Musa Datsun 1600 555 31/31 Eliud Thuku/Njunguna Njoroge (KEN) - Datsun 1600SSS
76 David Ndambo Justus Solomon Datsun 1600 555 1979: 17 Mohammed ‘Blackie’ Jama Noor/Mohammed Din (KEN) -
79 Hannington Wamera Sylvester Onyango Peugeot 504
82 Peter Karanja George Mwaniki Datsun 1600 555 Mitsubishi lancer
83 Hassan Kigotho Peter Waweru Datsun 1600 555
91 Noah Wekesa Bob Cunningham Datsun 1600 555 21/21 George Githu/Walter Obado-Ookok (KEN) - Fiat Abarth 131
93 Harry Thuku Jam Njuguna Njoroge Ford Escort G.T
99 Mukirai Kinungi Wilfred Mbira Datsun 1600 555 1987: 19 Patrick Njiru/ Gavin Bennet (KEN) - Subaru 1.8 4WD
100 Mary (Orie-Rogo) Ondieki Pamela Anyango Mitsubishi Gallant 22/23 David Anunda/J. Kinyanjui (KEN) - Daihatsu Charade Turbo
104 Wachira Githanda Junes Mukeka Datsun 1600 555
1975 1988: 11/14 Patrick Njiru/Rick Mathews (KEN) - Subaru 4WD
53 Peter Karanja Peter Waweru Mitsubishi C. Lancer
57 Kim Gatende Ashok Joshi Datsun 1600 555 1990: 8/10 Patrick Njiru/Dave Williamson (KEN) - Subaru Legacy
66 Walter Obado-Ookok Misango Kilaha Mitsubishi Lancer
68 John Makirai Kinungi Harry Thuku Datsun 160J 1991: 13 Patrick Njiru/Bob Khan (KEN) - Subaru Legacy
77 Eliud Thuku George Mwaniki Datsun 1600 555 21 Jonathan Toroitich/Ibrahim Choge (KEN) - Toyota Celica GT4
1976
47 David Ndambo George Githu Datsun Violet 710 27/27 Arif Khan/Thuita Karanja (KEN) - Toyota Levin
51 Peter Karanja Peter Waweru Datsun 1600 555
54 Pat Tarrant Benedict Mwaguna Ford Escort 1300 GT 1992: 8/21 Patrick Njiru/Ian Munro (KEN) - Subaru Legacy 4WD
63 Harry Thuku Njuguna Njoroge Datsun 160B
66 John K. Mukirai Wilfred Mbira Datsun 160J
1993: 12/17 Patrick Njiru/Rick Mathews (KEN) - Subaru Vivio
1977 1994: 4 Patrick Njiru/Abdul Sidi (KEN) - Subaru Impreza
57 George Githu Jeff Kimaru Datsun Violet 710
61 John Mukirai Ben Mwama Datsun 160J 13/14 Phineas Kimathi/Allan Muhindi (KEN) - Mazda 323
66 Frank C Songol Joel K Chebelyon Ford Escort RS1600
67 Harry Thuku Njuguna Njoroge Datsun 160J 1995: 8 Jonathan Toroitich / Ibrahim Choge (KEN) - Toyota Celica GT4
69 Hassan Kigotho Peter Waweru Datsun 16 Jim Kahumbura / David Macharia (KEN) - Toyota Celica Turbo
70 Peter M. Mukundi Patrick N. Peugeot 504
74 Peter Karanja K M Hurjaria Datsun 1800 55 21/21 John Ngunjiri / William Kimaru (KEN) - Mazda 323 4WD
1978
43 Kibathi Muigai Arshad Khan Ford Escort RS2000 1996: 9/18 Patrick Njiru / Rick Matthews (KEN) - Subaru Impreza Sport Wagon
45 George Githu Walter Obado-Ookok Datsun Violet 710
1998: 18 Jimmy Wahome / Tom Muriuki (KEN) - Hyundai Coupe
51 Harry Thuku Jamie Fernandez Datsun 160J
19/19 Gregory Kibiti  / George Mwangi (KEN) - Hyundai Coupe
53 J Mukirai Kinungi Njuguna Njoroge Datsun 160J
58 Peter N. Karanja Crispus M. Kimama Ford Escort 1999: 11 Jonathan Toroitich/Mahesh Shah (KEN) - Toyota Celica GT4
64 Peter Shiyukah Hon. D C N Moss Peugeot 504
67 Jack Muduncha J N Anchinga Datsun 1600 555 18 Phineas Kimathi/Abdul Sidi (KEN) - Hyundai Coupe
68 Jeff Kimaru George Githu Datsun 160J
19/24 Jimmy Wahome/Tom Muriuki (KEN) - Subaru Impreza WRX
70 Peter Mukundi Patrick Mukundi Peugeot 504
1979 2000: 14/17 Phineas Kimathi/Abdul Sidi (KEN) - Subaru Impreza WRX
44 Harry Thuku Jamie Fernandez Datsun 160J PA 10
46 Kibathi Muigai Arshad Khan Mitsubishi C. Lancer
49 Ngari Mahihu Surinder Thatti Datsun 160J PA 10 Phineas
55 J Mukirai Kinungi Chris M Kimama Peugeot 504 GL Kimathi (left)
62 Peter Shiyukah Kenneth Taylor Mitsubishi C. Lancer and Abdul
64 Peter M Mukundi Patrick Mukindi Peugeot 504 GL Sidi, driving
a Hyundai
69 Peter M Mukundi Frank Arap Songol Ford Escort RS2000
Coupe, happy
72 Jack Muduncha Njuguna Njoroge Datsun 160J PA 10 with their 18th
73 Jeff Kimaru Stanley Maitho FIAT ABARTH 131 place finish in
1980 the 1999 WRC
38 Harry Thuku Jamie Fernandez Datsun 160J PA 10 Safari Rally.
44 Peter Mukundi Patrick Mukundi Peugeot 504 GL
53 James Ndwiga Dave Macharia Datsun 160J
56 John Savy James Mwangi Datsun P510
60 Peter Karanja Chrispus Kimama Ford Escort RS 2000
- Researchers William Kabugi and John Thama

78 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

Opinion

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 79

 Opinion
Masai Morans waving at Safari Rally driver
Eric Carlsson on March 31, 1966

President Jomo Kenyatta flagging off the Safari Rally in April, 1971.

President Daniel arap Moi flags off Car No. 1, driven by Michele
Mouton, at the start of 31st Safari Rally on April 1, 1983. Mouton is
now one of the top WRC officials managing this year’s Safari Rally.

President Mwai Kibaki flags off the Safari Rally at the KICC on June
17, 2011.

Joginder and Juswat Signgh, overall winners April 1965 President Uhuru Kenyatta flags off the 2014 Safari Rally at KICC.

80 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 PictoriaHistory

A mud splash in the 1972 Safari Rally.

A VW Beetle of the ramp of the 1958 Coronation Safari.

Car number 62, an The Anglia driven by Pitts and Steel, motors along a village in 1960. Kisumu Mayor Grace Onyango flagging off the Safari Rally in March, 1975.

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 81

 Opinion

WRC Safari Rally preparations

 Organisation
ORGANISING COMMITTEE EDITORIAL BOARD
Chairman Phineas Kimathi Executive Editor Phineas Kimathi
Event Director Jim Kahumbura Head of Communications Elias Makori
FIA Liaison Surinder Thatthi Media Director Peter Njenga
Editor-in-Chief Gishinga Njoroge
Clerk of Course Gurvir Bhabra
Graphic Designer Fred Muisyo
Deputy Clerk of Course George Mwangi
Design Consultant Benjamin Situma
Nazir Yakub
ICT John Thama
Media Safety & Route Coordinator Anwar Sidi
Event Secretary Hellen Kagendo
Main Press Centre Officer Television
Stewards Francis Fondo Nzovu Mike Okinyi
Chairman of Stewards Timo Rautiainen Suleiman Munyua
Observer/ FIA Steward Mazen Al-Hilli Writers, Reporters Mary Wavinya
Samson Ateka
ASN Steward John Kamau (EAK) Chris Mbaisi Social Media
Robin Toskin Alex Isaboke
FIA Delegates Charles Nyende
FIA Technical Delegate Musa Locho (EAK) Abdul Sidi Field Reporters
FIA Safety Delegate Michele Mouton Wairimu Nyathira Sarah Bakata
Lawrence Ndung’u Macharia Mwangi
Senior Officials William Kabugi
Clerk of Course Gurvir Singh Bhabra Ceremonies
Deputy Clerk of Course George Mwangi Photography Sean Cardovillis – MC
Nazir Yakub Anwar Sidi Eddie Kimani – MC
Assistant Clerk of Course Onkar Kalsi Alvin Kibet
George Njoroge Sila Kiplagat
Chris Eden Alexander Mwangi Kirubi
Raju Chaggar Standard Media Group
Media Safety/ Route Liaison Anwar Sidi
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Raj Jutley Rally HQ Contact Details
Chief Scrutineer Musa Locho Rally Office
Chief Safety Officer Norris Ongalo +254 710 692777, +254 710 694441
Service Park Manager Anthony Gatei info@safarirally.co.ke
Chief Control Officer Harry Sagoo KWSTI, Naivasha
Secretary of Stewards Yvonne Gilli
Service Park: KWSTI, Naivasha Media Contact Details:
Deputy Secretary of Stewards Wambui Kiiru
Secretary of Event Hellen Kagendo
Media Centre : KWSTI, Naivasha
Chief Results Officer Darash Patel Tel: +254 722622021, Tel: +254 722360831
Chief Security Officer Comm. Julius Kabiru Tel: +254 703130655, Tel: +254 722555572
Competitors Relation Officers Joan Nesbitt Email: elias@safarirally.co.ke
Jimmy Wahome Official Notice Board Location Rally Office
Communications Officer Anita Eden KWSTI, Naivasha Digital notice board (DNB) is available on
www.kenyamotorsports.com
Environmental Officer Peris Njoroge
Media Officer Elias Makori
Covid Compliance Officer Kevin Rodrigues
84 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

Seb Ogier
tipped for
Safari Rally
victory
By SAMSON ATEKA
T
OYOTA GAZOO RACING boss Jari-
Matti Latvala said recently that
Sébastien Ogier’s rally-winning
performance in Italy was out of this
world. “It was head and shoulders above
that in Portugal two weeks previously,”
Latvata said.
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Ogier has been
tipped as the man to take Safari Rally
glory.
Many purists believe Toyota is the
team to beat at the WRC Safari Rally
Kenya.
The Toyota line-up has one of the
most meticulous rally gladiators in
Ogier. They also have a very reliable
wingman with championship ability in
Elfyn Evans of Great Britain.
All in all, Safari requires reliability
86 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
Review
over anything else. Hyundai also have
a chance with the quick Ott Tanak and
Thierry Neuville. These two are good in
their own right, but haven’t quite gelled
as teammates in my view. In African
homesteads, we don’t keep two alpha
males for a reason and that’s what could
cost Hyundai at the WRC Safari Rally
Kenya.
In fact, Hyundai may get better
performance from Dani Sordo than their
top drivers Neuville and Tanak.
Kenyan navigator Victor Okundi says
Safari will require absolute control
from the team bosses and cucumber
calmness from the drivers.
“Of course the WRC won’t play the
waiting game that we do locally because
they’ve a lot riding on that event.
Whoever wins this will have won the
first Safari in the current WRC format!!
Serious bragging rights. They will really
need to harness their testosterone levels
for this one to stand any chance because
we saw how crazy it can get during the
recent Equator rally,” Okundi said.
Frenchman Ogier was peerless in the
Yaris World Rally Car. He then produced
one of the best drives of his career to
claim a third victory of the FIA World
Rally Championship season in Sardinia,
Italy.
“Seb was at a different level than
in Portugal opening the road,” said
team principal Latvala. “I could see in
the shakedown on the first run how
committed he was.”
This year’s 2021 FIA World Rally
Championship is the forty-ninth season
of the World Rally Championship since
inception I 1973.
The WRC is an auto racing competition
done by the Fédération Internationale de
l’Automobile (FIA) as the highest class of
international rallying.
This year, three WRC teams M-Sport
Ford, Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai
Motorsport are competing in twelve
rallies for the World Rally Championships
for Drivers, Co-drivers, Teams and
Manufacturers.
Crews are free to compete in cars
complying with World Rally Car, Rally
 Review

WRC CALENDAR 2021

1. 21 January -24 January Monaco Rallye- Automobile Monte Carlo
2. 26 February - 28 February Finland Arctic Rally Finland
3. 22 April -25 April Croatia Croatia Rally Zagreb
4 20 May -23 May Portugal- Rally de Portuga Matosinhos, Porto Gravel
5. 3 June - 6 June Italy- Rally Italia Sardegna Alghero, Sardinia Gravel
6 24 June -27 June Kenya- Safari Rally Kenya Nairobi, Gravel
7 15 July -18 July Estonia Rally Estonia Tartu Gravel
8. 13 August -15 August Belgium- Ypres Rally Belgium Ypres, West Flanders Tarmac
9. 9 September -12 September Greece Acropolis Rally Greece Lamia, Central Greece Gravel
10. 1 October - 3 October Finland- Rally Finland Jyväskylä, Central Finland Gravel
11. 14 October - 17 October Spain RACC Rally

Pyramid and some Group R regulations.

However, only manufacturers competing
with World Rally Cars homologated under
regulations introduced in 2017 are eligible
to score points in the Manufacturers’
championship.
The 2021 WRC began in January with
the Rallye Monte-Carlo and is expected
to conclude in November 2021 with Rally
Japan. The series is supported by the
World Rally Championship-2 and World
Rally Championship-3 categories at
every round of the championship and by
the Junior World Rally Championship at
selected events.
WRC STANDINGS AFTER ITALY
1 (FRA)S. OGIER 106
2GBR)E. EVANS 95
3 (BEL)T. NEUVILLE 77
4(EST) O. TÄNAK 49
5(JPN)T. KATSUTA 48
6 (FIN)K. ROVANPERÄ 44
7 (ESP)D. SORDO 30
8 (IRL)C. BREEN 24
9 (GBR) G. GREENSMITH 22
10 (FRA)A. FOURMAUX 20
11 (NOR)M. OSTBERG 12
12 +FIN)J. HUTTUNEN 10
13(FIN)T. SUNINEN 9
14 (FIN)E. LAPPI 7
15 (NOR)A. MIKKELSEN 6
16 (SWE) O. SOLBERG 6
17 (FRA)Y. ROSSEL 6
18 (ESP)P. LÓPEZ 4
19 (ESP)J. SOLANS 2
20 (FRA)E. CAMILLI 1

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 87

 Review
How Kenya ace Tundo polished up
his preps for Safari: With victory
at ARC Equator Rally 2021

88 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY


By SAMSON ATEKA
K
ENYA’S CARL TUNDO and his
longstanding partner Tim Jessop
in a VW Polo comfortably won
the Equator Rally with his compatriot
Tajveer Rai co-driven byGareth Dawe
settling for second position.
Tundo bossed the 2021 Equator Rally
only to announce he was not going to
do the full series of the FIA ARC.
Uganda’s Jas Mangat and Joseph
Kamya finished third overall in the
Africa Rally Championship round held
on April 23 to 25, 2021.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for
South Africa driver Guy Botterill, who
retired on the last day of the event.
Review
Botterill won Bandama Rallye of Ivory
Coast last year with his maximum
points being carried forward to Equator
this year due to the cancellation of
the 2020 series due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
“It was a tough event for several
crews and we also faced similar
challenges. Our focus was more on
finishing the event and we got lucky
with a podium spot,” said Mangat.
The podium placing put Mangat
at the top of ARC 2 category with 30
points. He also earned 21 points for the
ARC category.
Kenya’s performance tickled
Mangat’s desire to fully take on the
continental championship. Mangat is
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY
a notable absentee though at the WRC
Safari Rally Kenya 2021.
“We now have good points for ARC
and ARC2. This gives us a good boost
to think about the ARC again.
“We are going to sit with the team
and discuss all the options for the next
events,” he added.
In 2013, Jas Mangat had an attempt
at the Africa Rally Championship title
only to lose the battle to Jassy Singh in
the season finale in Madagascar. He is
back to ensure he has his first ARC title
under his belt.
Tundo said: “We will not be doing
the ARC, but we will be fighting for
National Rally Championship points
through the season.”
FIA AFRICAN RALLY
CHAMPIONSHIP (ARC) 2021
POINTS AFTER EQUATOR
1. Carl Flash Tundo (KEN) 30
2. Guy Botterill (SA) 30
3. Tejveer Rai (KEN) 24
4. Farid Daniel Assaf (CIV) 24
5. Jas Mangat (UG) 21
6. Giancarlo Davite (RWA 19
7. Onkar Rai (KEN) 17
8. Jasmeet Chana (KEN) 15
9. Nzioka Walta (KEN) 13
10. Piero Canobbio (KEN) 11
11. Evans Kavisi (KEN) 9
12. Yasin Nasser (UGA) 7
| 89
 Opinion
Carl Tundo, Baldev Chager

Carl Tundo, Naivasha,

ARC Equator Rally, 2021

90 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Review
Chager, Tundo
renew KNRC
rivalry on WRC
Safari rally
By SAMSON ATEKA

D
EFENDING CHAMPION Baldev Singh Chager is set to renew
rivalry with his longstanding friend Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo as
WRC Safari Rally serves as the third leg of Kenya National
Rally Championship.
The event follows the opening two rounds in Nakuru in
February and ARC Equator Rally (April).
Besides the blistering pace of WRC contraptions, local drivers
are sure to also thrill fans as the fight for national points
intensifies.
Chager won the season opening KCB Nakuru Rally in
Elementaita but lost his Championship lead to Kabras Sugar
Racing teammate Tejveer Rai after a bad run in Equator Rally.
Chager was out on Day One of Equator
Rally but managed to complete Day 2 hence
salvaging KNRC points on the Super Rally rule
which allows teams to restart the next leg.
Chager is at a Besides Tundo vs Chager rivalry, youngster
Karan Patel (Ford Fiesta R5) and the Rai’s
disadvantage Tejveer and Onkar (VW Polo R5) will be the
considering all his other drivers to watch out for.
opponents are on R5 Tundo is back with the Minti Motorsport VW
cars which are one Polo R5 which he also steered during the ARC
step below the WRC
event.
Chager is at a disadvantage considering all
car his opponents are on R5 cars which are one
step below the WRC car. All local R5 drivers
including Tundo (VW Polo R5) will be competing in
WRC 3 Class. Apart from the KNRC Premier Class
battles, KNRC Division One, Two and Three points
will be at stake.
Among Division One drivers fighting for category points are
Paras Pandya of Mombasa, McRae Kimathi and Sohanjeet Singh
Puee also from Mombasa.
Paras and Kimathi Junior are tied on 39 points apiece. Paras
skipped Equator Rally and will be looking to recover lost ground
against Kimathi who now has a new car courtesy of the FIA Rally
Star Program.
He will drive one of the three Ford Rally 3 cars alongside
Jeremy Wahome (22) and Hamza Anwar (22). Division Two has
Hamza Anwar and Evans Kavisi, who is the category leader.

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 91

 Opinion

92 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Route
C83

MEDIHEAL
Hospital- Nakuru
S00º17.172' W36º06.474'

2021 Safari Rally Kenya

N Overall Map
Section 1 24.06.2021
Section 2 /3 25.06.2021
A104

Section 4 /5 26.06.2021
Section 6 / 7 / 8 27.06.2021

SS 9/12 Soysambu
09:08/15:08 20,33 kms

Regroup
Media Zone

A104

SS 8/11 Elmenteita
08:08/14:05 14,67 kms

S 0º28.743' E 36º09.468'

Kikopey
RZ 6/8

Elementeita

GILGIL

SS 10/13 Sleeping Warrior

10:22/16:22 30,98 kms

A104

A104

SS 14/17 Loldia
07:56/11:25 11,33 kms
SS 16 Malewa
10:45 9,71 kms

Shell

NAIVASHA
Referral Hospital
S00º43.142' W36º26.312'

Shakedown Kingono
13:01/17:30 5,15 kms NAIVASHA

S0º44.704' - E36º27.093'

KWS
Lake Naivasha
Resort

C88

A104

From / To
NAIROBI
Shell

D323

S 0º49.369' E 36º09,439'

RZ 2/4
Kongoni

PS Podium SS 3/6 Kedong

09:05 -14:42 32,68 kms

SS 2/5 Chui Lodge

SS 4/7 Oserian 08:09 -13:46 13,34 kms
10:18 -15:55 18,87 kms

SS 15/18 Hell’s Gate

08:38/13:18 10,56 kms
WOLF POWER STAGE

REGROUP
S00º53.524' B3
E36º20.094' A104

SSS1 Kasarani
Limuru Town 4,84 kms 14:08
S01º13.814' E36º54.589'

Ceremonial Start
KICC
S01º17.276' E36º49.332' NAIROBI

A104

0 1 2 3 4
A104

JOMO KENYATTA
AIRPORT
S01º19.793' E36º55.522'

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 93

 Route
2021 SAFARI RALLY
Version 1.4.1

Shakedown Wednesday 23 June 2021

TC Location SS Dist. Liaison Dist. Total Dist. Target First Car

SS Km. Km. Km. Time Due

Service Park - KWS Naivasha

Shakedown
TC SD Shakedown Start - 30.82 30.82 12:52
SD Shakedown Loldia 5.40 - - 0:09 13:01
Service Park - KWS Naivasha - 30.80 36.20 Priority Drivers 13:01 / 15:00
Wednesday Total s 5.40 61.62 67.02 All Drivers 15:00 / 17:30

Start - (Section 1) Thursday 24 June 2021

0 Start - Kenyatta International Conference Centre 12:46

Section 1
0A* Holding Area - In - 19.60 19.60 0:58 13:44
1 - 0.06 0.06 0:20 14:04
SS 1 Super Special Kasarani 4.84 - - 0:04 14:08
1A* Parc Fermé In - KWS Naivasha - 97.35 102.19 2:15 16:23
Thursday Total s 4.84 117.01 121.85
Sunrise - Naivasha 06:35
* Early check-in permitted Sunset - Naivasha 18:38

94 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 2021 Safari Rally Kenya
Shakedown 23.06.2021

A104

Route
Shakedown Loldia
13:01/17:30 5,40 kms

NAIVASHA

Lake Naivasha
Resort

C88

SERVICE PARK
Rally HQ
A104
RACE CONTROL
MEDIA CENTRE
S 0º44.503' E 36º26,163'

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

From / To
NAIROBI
Shell

| 95
 Route
2021 SAFARI RALLY
Version 1.4.1

Re-Start (Sections 2 & 3) Friday 25 June 2021

TC Location SS Dist. Liaison Dist. Total Dist. Target First Car

SS Km. Km. Km. Time Due

1B Parc Fermé Out - Service - In - - - 07:00

Service A (KWS Naivasha) - - - 0:15
1C Service - Out - - - 07:15
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - KWS Naivasha - (0.25) -
1 Distance to next refuel (46.02) (74.66) (120.68)
2 - 37.89 37.89 0:51 08:06

Section 2
SS 2 Chui Lodge 1 13.34 - - 0:03 08:09
3 - 22.84 36.18 0:53 09:02
SS 3 Kedong 1 32.68 - - 0:03 09:05
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - Oserian Twin Lakes - (14.18)
2 Distance to next refuel (18.87) (53.02) (71.89)
4 - 21.20 53.88 1:10 10:15
SS 4 Oserian 1 18.87 - - 0:03 10:18
4A Regroup & Technical Zone - In - 46.00 64.87 1:24 11:42
4B Regroup Out & Flexi-Service In - - - 0:40 12:22
Flexi-Service B (KWS Naivasha) (64.89) (127.93) (192.82) 0:30
4C Flexi-Service Out - - 12:52
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - KWS Naivasha - (0.25) -
3 Distance to next refuel (46.02) (74.66) (120.68)
5 - 37.89 37.89 0:51 13:43
SS 5 Chui Lodge 2 13.34 - - 0:03 13:46
6 - 22.84 36.18 0:53 14:39

Section 3
SS 6 Kedong 2 32.68 - - 0:03 14:42
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - Oserian Twin Lakes - (14.18)
4 Distance to next refuel (18.87) (53.02) (71.89)
7 - 21.20 53.88 1:10 15:52
SS 7 Oserian 2 18.87 - - 0:03 15:55
7A Parc Fermé & Technical Zone - In - 46.00 64.87 1:24 17:19
7B Parc Fermé Out - Flexi Service - In - - - 0:10 17:29
Flexi-Service C (KWS Naivasha) (64.89) (127.93) (192.82) 0:45
7C* Flexi Service Out - Parc Fermé - In - - (18:14)
All cars must be returned to Parc Ferme no later than 21:29
Friday Totals 129.78 255.86 385.64
Sunrise - Naivasha 06:35
* Early check-in permitted Sunset - Naivasha 18:38

96 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 NAIVASHA SERVICE PARK
Rally HQ
RACE CONTROL
MEDIA CENTRE
S 0º44.503' E 36º26,163'

2021 Safari Rally Kenya

Sections 2/3 25.06.2021 Lake Naivasha
Resort

C88

N
A104

From / To
NAIROBI

D323

Route

SS 4/7 Oserian
10:18 -15:55 18,87 kms
RZ 2/4

SS 3/6 Kedong
09:05 -14:42 32,68 kms

SS 2/5 Chui Lodge

08:09 -13:46 13,34 kms

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0

| 97
 Route
N
SS 2/5 Chui Lodge
08:09 -13:46 13,34 kms

SS 4/7 From/To
Service
Park
SS 3/6

CHUI LODGE
2223
6,52 km

2200
6,55 km, 2183 m

2180

2160

2140

2120
SS 4/7 2100
188,6 m

2080

2060

2040

2020
0,04 km, 1554,4 m
2000

1980

1960
0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 7,0 8,0 9,0 10,0 11,0 12,0 13,0 14,33

0 1 2 3

98 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Route
From & to
Service Park

N SS 3/6 Kedong
09:05 -14:42 32,68 kms

To
SS-2/5 & 3/6

From
SS-2/5

2175
12,35 km

2150 12,35 km, 2131,6 m

2125

2100

2075

2050

2025 216 m

2000

1975

1950

0,00 km, 1915,6 m

1925

1900

1875
0,0 2,0 4,0 6,0 8,0 10,0 12,0 14,0 16,0 18,0 20,0 22,0 24,0 26,0 28,0 30,0 32,0 33,43

0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 99

 Route
N
SS 4/7 Oserian
10:29 -15:55
10:18 -15:58 18,87 kms

From/To
Service
Park
& SS 3/6

2200
11,9 km, 2171,2 m

2150

2100

2050

2000

0,18 km, 1953,8 m

1950

11,73 km

1900
0,0 2,0 4,0 6,0 8,0 10,0 12,0 14,0 16,0 18,68

0 1 2 3 4

100 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Route
2021 SAFARI RALLY
Version 1.4.1

Re-Start (Sections 4 & 5) Saturday 26 June 2021

TC Location SS Dist. Liaison Dist. Total Dist. Target First Car

SS Km. Km. Km. Time Due

7D Parc Fermé - Out Service - In - - - 06:55

Service D (KWS Naivasha) - - - 0:15
7E Service - Out - - 07:10
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - KWS Naivasha - (0.25)
5 Distance to next refuel (35.00) (77.08) (112.08)
8 - 43.84 43.84 0:55 08:05

Section 4
SS 8 El menteita 1 14.67 - - 0:03 08:08
8A Regroup & Technical Zone - In - 1.37 16.04 0:23 08:31
9 Regroup Out - 0.12 0.12 0:34 09:05
SS 9 Soysambu 1 (Live TV) 20.33 - - 0:03 09:08
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - Crossroads - (32.00)
6 Distance to next refuel (31.04) (50.57) (81.61)
10 - 37.43 57.76 1:11 10:19
SS 10 Sleeping Warrior 1 31.04 - - 0:03 10:22
10A Regroup & Technical Zone - In - 45.14 76.18 1:35 11:57
10B Regroup Out & Flexi-Service - In - - - 0:40 12:37
Flexi-Service E (KWS Naivasha) (66.04) (127.90) (193.94) 0:30
10C Flexi-Service - Out - - - 13:07
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - KWS Naivasha - (0.25)
7 Distance to next refuel (35.00) (77.08) (112.08)
11 - 43.84 43.84 0:55 14:02
SS 11 El menteita 2 14.67 - - 0:03 14:05
11A Regroup & Technical Zone - In - 1.37 16.04 0:23 14:28

Section 5
12 Regroup Out - 0.12 0.12 0:37 15:05
SS 12 Soysambu 2 (Live TV) 20.33 - - 0:03 15:08
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - Crossroads - (32.00)
8 Distance to next refuel (31.04) (50.57) (81.61)
13 - 37.43 57.76 1:11 16:19
SS 13 Sleeping Warrior 2 31.04 - - 0:03 16:22
13A Parc Fermé & Technical Zone - In - 45.14 76.18 1:35 17:57
13B Parc Fermé Out - Flexi Service - In - - - 0:10 18:07
Flexi-Service F (KWS Naivasha) (66.04) (127.90) (193.94) 0:45
13C* Flexi Service Out - Parc Fermé - In - - (18:52)
Al l cars must be returned to Parc Ferme no l ater than 22:07
Saturday Totals 132.08 255.80 387.88
Sunrise - Naivasha 06:35
* Early check-in permitted Sunset - Naivasha 18:38

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 101

 Route
Nakuru

0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0

2021 Safari Rally Kenya

Sections 4/5 26.06.2021

A104

SS 9/12 Soysambu
09:08/15:08 20,33 kms

Regroup
Media Zone

SS 8/11 Elementeita
08:08/14:05 15,00 kms

Kikopey

RZ 6/8

Elementeita
Gilgil

A104

SS 10/13 Sleeping Warrior A104

10:22/16:22 31,00 kms

102 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Route
N SS 8/11 Elmenteita
08:08 -14:05 14,67 kms

Regroup
Media Zone

ELMENTEITA
1860
8,13 km

1850
15,47 km, 1848,2 m

1840

1830

54,4 m
1820

1810

1800
7,34 km, 1793,8 m

1790

1780

1770
0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 7,0 8,0 9,0 10,0 11,0 12,0 13,0 14,0 15,0 16,7

From
Service
Park

0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 103

104 |
SS 9/12 Soysambu N
09:08 -15:08 20,33 kms

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

Route

Regroup
Media Zone

1920
8,79 km
8,82 km, 1893,2 m
1900

1880

1860

1840

1820
160,6 m

1800

1780

1760

0,04 km, 1732,4 m

1740

1720

1700
0,0 2,0 4,0 6,0 8,0 10,0 12,0 14,0 16,0 18,0 20,0 22,01

0 1 2 3 4 5
SS 8/11
 From SS
9/12

RZ 6/8
SS 10/13 Sleeping Warrior
10:22 -16:22 30,98 kms

Route

1890
22,71 km
22,77 km, 1879,4 m

1880

1870

1860
45,6 m

1850

1840
0,05 km, 1833,8 m

1830

1820

1810

1800
0,0 2,0 4,0 6,0 8,0 10,0 12,0 14,0 16,0 18,0 20,0 22,0 24,0 26,0 28,0 30,0 32,0 34,0 36,48

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

0 1 2 3 4 5

| 105
 Route
2021 SAFARI RALLY
Version 1.4.1

Re-Start (Sections 6, 7 & 8) Sunday 27 June 2021

TC Location SS Dist. Liaison Dist. Total Dist. Target First Car

SS Km. Km. Km. Time Due

13D Parc Fermé - Out Service - In - - - 06:25

Service G (KWS Naivasha) - - - 0:15
13E Service - Out - - 06:40
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - KWS Naivasha - - -

Section 6
9 Distance to next refuel 21.89 93.92 115.81
14 - 31.39 31.39 0:40 07:20
SS 14 Loldia 1 11.33 - - 0:06 07:26
15 - 37.81 49.14 1:03 08:29
SS 15 Hells Gate 1 (Live TV) 10.56 - - 0:09 08:38
15A Regroup - In - 24.72 35.28 0:49 09:27
15B Regroup Out - - - 0:44 10:11
RZ Refuel (FIA Fuel) - KWS Naivasha - - -
10 Distance to next refuel 31.60 91.16 122.76

Section 7
16 - 24.15 24.15 0:31 10:42
SS 16 Malewa 9.71 - - 0:03 10:45
17 - 4.16 13.87 0:37 11:22
SS 17 Loldia 2 11.33 - - 0:03 11:25
17A Regroup & Technical Zone - In - 36.04 47.37 1:00 12:25
17B Regroup Out - 0.18 0.18 0:46 13:11

Section 8
18 - 1.91 1.91 0:04 13:15
SS 18 Hell's Gate 2 - Wolf Power Stage 10.56 - - 0:03 13:18
18A Technical Zone / Parc Ferme - In - 24.72 35.28 0:49 14:07
PODIUM - - - 15:00

Sunday Totals 53.49 185.08 238.57

Sunrise - Naivasha 06:35
Sunset - Naivasha 18:38

TOTALS OF THE RALLY

SS Liaison Total %
Thursday 24 June 2021
4.84 117.01 121.85 4.0%
Section 1 - 1 SS
Friday 25 June 2021 % of
129.78 255.86 385.64 33.7%
Section 2 & 3 - 6 SS Special
Saturday 26 June 2021 stages
132.08 255.80 387.88 34.1%
Sections 4 & 5 - 6 SS
Sunday 27 June 2021
53.49 185.08 238.57 22.4%
Sections 6, 7 & 8 - 5 SS
Total - 18 SS 320.19 813.75 1133.94 28.2%

106 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Route
2021 Safari Rally Kenya
N Sections 6/7/8 27.06.2021

A104

SS 14/17 Loldia
07:26/11:25 11,33 kms
SS 16 Malewa
10:45 9,71 kms

Loldia

NAIVASHA

Lake Naivasha
Resort
C88 A104

From / To
NAIROBI

SERVICE PARK
Rally HQ
RACE CONTROL
Shell

MEDIA CENTRE
S 0º44.503' E 36º26,163'

PS Podium

SS 15/18 Hell’s Gate

08:38/13:18 10,56 kms
Wolf Power Stage

REGROUP
S00º53.524'
0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0
E36º20.094'

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 107

 Route
SS 14/17 Loldia N
07:26 / 11:25 11,33 kms

SS16

31

LOLDIA
2080

2070

2060

2050

2040

2030

2020
93,3 m

2010

2000

1990

1920 9,06 km, 1968,7 m

1900

1880
0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 7,0 8,0 9,0 10,0 11,0 12,03

To SS15/18 0 1 2 3

108 | THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

 Route
SS 16 Malewa
N
11:25 9,71 kms

A104

To
Service
Park

SS 14/17

To
SS 15/18

0 1 2 3 4

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 109

110 |
0 1 2 3 4

2250
2,5 km
2,54 km, 2209,9 m
N
2200

2150

207,4 m
2100

2050

0,00 km, 2002,5 m

2000

1950

1900
0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 7,0 8,0 9,0 10,0 11,0 11,79

PS Podium

THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY

Route

REGROUP
S00º53.524'
SS 15/18 Hell’s Gate E36º20.094'
08:38/13:18 10,56 kms
WOLF Power Stage
TODAY 3,500 PEOPLE

Route
WILL DIE ON THE ROAD
WATCH OUT USE NEVER DRINK SLOW
FOR PEDESTRIANS A CHILD AND DRIVE DOWN
H.S.H. PRINCESS
CHARLÈNE OF MONACO
CHARLES LECLERC
FIA FORMULA ONE RACING DRIVER SAFETY NICO ROSBERG FOR
SEAT KIDS
2016 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPION

MICHELLE YEOH PATRICK DEMPSEY

ACTRESS, PRODUCER AND ACTOR, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER,
UNDP GOODWILL AMBASSADOR RACE CAR DRIVER

CHECK BUCKLE UP DON’T TEXT LOOK

LOOK
YOUR FERNANDO ALONSO
AND DRIVE BEFORE
BEFORE
TYRES CROSSING
CROSSING
TWO-TIME FIA FORMULA ONE
WORLD CHAMPION
2018-2019 FIA DRIVERS’ LMP PHARRELL WILLIAMS
WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPION SINGER, SONGWRITER AND RECORD PRODUCER
FELIPE MASSA
RAFAEL NADAL FELIPE
FORMERMASSA
FORMULA ONE AND
TENNIS PLAYER, FORMER FORMULA
FORMULA ONEDRIVER
E RACING AND
WINNER OF 20 GRAND SLAM TITLES FORMULA E RACING DRIVER

STOP WHEN MAKE ROAD ALWAYS PAY STAY

YOU’RE SAFETY A ATTENTION BRIGHT
TIRED PRIORITY VANESSA LOW
LONG JUMP PARALYMPIC
HAILE GEBRSELASSIE
LONG DISTANCE RUNNING
GOLD MEDAL CHAMPION OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPION
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN ANNE HIDALGO
MAYOR OF PARIS
INTERNATIONAL
FOOTBALL PLAYER

CHECK YOUR DON’T LET WEAR OBEY THE

VISION YOUR FRIENDS A HELMET SPEED LIMIT
MICHAEL FASSBENDER DRIVE DRUNK MARC MÁRQUEZ
SIX-TIME MOTOGP
YOHAN BLAKE
4 X 100M OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPION
WORLD CHAMPION
WAYDE VAN NIEKERK AND 100M WORLD CHAMPION
400M OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL
AND WORLD CHAMPION

TODAY, 3,500 PEOPLE WILL DIE ON THE ROAD…

WATCH OUT SHARE THE ROAD

FOR KIDS JULIAN ALAPHILIPPE
PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST,
2020 UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPION
MICK SCHUMACHER
FIA FORMULA 1 RACING DRIVER
2020 FIA FORMULA 2 CHAMPION
DIDIER DROGBA
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER

SUPPORT THE FIA’S MANIFESTO

FOR GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY AT FIA.COM
#3500LIVES
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE

SUPPORT THE FIA’S MANIFESTO

FOR GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY AT: FIA.COM
THE 2021 WRC SAFARI RALLY | 111
 WRC SAFARI RALLY

Ministry of Sports,
Culture and Heritage