•The fastest of the five drivers will be the first one to choose the starting position.
•Scrutineering, reconnaissance and administrative checks are programmed to take place today (Thursday).
Image: HANDOUT
A 5km qualifying stage revolving around the expansive Teita Sisal Estate in Mwatate will decide the road order for this weekend’s ARC Equator Rally Kenya.
The qualifying stage will definitely be a key feature of the event on Friday afternoon prior to action proper on Saturday and Sunday.
As is the precedence, the top five fastest drivers in Friday’s qualifying stage will make their way back to the rally headquarters in Voi to choose their preferred starting positions in chronological order from the quickest driver to the slowest.
The ARC qualifying concept has always created a sense of anxiety prior to the race proper.
The fastest of the five drivers will be the first one to choose the starting position. Scrutineering, reconnaissance and administrative checks are programmed to take place today (Thursday).
This will be followed by the Ceremonial Start at the Voi Wildlife Lodge on Friday from 11:00 am onwards and free practice from midday.
Friday’s qualifying stage (Teita 5km) shall commence at 2:00 pm followed by Shakedown which is programmed for 3 pm onwards.
The midday free practice on Friday will offer drivers an opportunity to warm up their engines prior to the start of Leg 1 and Leg 2 on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Friday’s program will also give the media an opportunity to capture pre-rally action well in time.
Kenya won the ARC title seven times between 1981 and 2022. Trailblazing Shekhar Mehta was the first-ever winner in 1981, while the last Kenyan to win the title was Carl Tundo in 2021. Other Kenyan winners include three-time champion Manvir Singh Baryan, Kisumu’s Jassi Chathe and Don Smith. The ARC is an international series under the auspices of the world governing body, FIA.
Meanwhile, South African William Louw has been appointed the ARC coordinator and will combine his new duties with his existing job as FIA safety delegate for the ARC
Rallye International du Burundi is the latest event to join the ARC schedule after running as a successful candidate event in 2022.
What’s more, the FIA ARC Junior has been renamed FIA Junior ARC to spearhead consistency with the FIA World Rally Championship’s young driver category, the FIA Junior WRC Championship.
Itinerary
Leg One Saturday):
SS1/5 Charcoal 1&2 (21.57km)
SS2 /6 Camp 1&2 (24.02km)
SS3/8 Karani 1&2 (23.69km)
SS4 /8 Kamtonga 1&2 1(0.55km.)
Leg 2 (Sunday):
Restart: Voi Wildlife Lodge
SS9 Charcoal 3 (21.57KM)
SS10 Camp 3 (24:02km)
Total Transport distance: 421.08 km
Competitive: 205.25kms
Leg One transport: 143.88km,
Leg One Competitive: 159.66km.
Leg Two transport distance:71.95km
Leg Two Competitive distance : 45.59kms
Total Number of Special Stages: 10