WRC Safari Rally officials have made several itinerary tweaks in the run-up to the 2024 edition slated for Naivasha and Nairobi from March 28-31.
Event Director, Jim Kahumbura, revealed that the ceremonial start of the iconic event has returned to its traditional Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) venue from Uhuru Park. Over 50 cars have been entered for this year’s event.
“The 71st edition of the WRC Safari returns to its traditional Easter Holiday dates and it will be a nostalgic gesture to start the event at KICC which has served as the home of the iconic fixture over the years,” Kahumbura explained.
Last year’s Safari was flagged off at Uhuru Park in an attempt to accommodate more spectators. Uhuru Park has previously been run as the Safari’s Super Special Stage.
“The cars will be flagged off from KICC on March 28 before heading to Kasarani Stadium for the Super Special Stage, which will mark the first speed test of the event. We expect more crowds to throng Kasarani given that it will be a free Easter weekend for the fans,” Kahumbura, a former Kenya Group N drivers’ champion said.
He noted that this year’s itinerary is more or less similar to what was used in 2021 and 2022 after which the start was moved to Uhuru Park in 2023.
In a bid to manage the traffic quagmire in Naivasha, the event’s director also said the Safari programme will finish at the Hell’s Gate Power Stage.
Previously, Hell’s Gate coincided with the WRC TV live programme to award the podium finishers after the Power Stage, with the prize-giving proper being held at Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) in Naivasha.
“We don’t want a repeat of a scenario where rally cars return to the service park area for prize giving. This year, everything will end at Hell’s Gate and this is a deliberate move to manage the chaotic traffic situation that has been witnessed in Naivasha since the return of WRC status,” said Kahumbuara.
On competitive stages, Kahumbura said the organisation has changed the Sleeping Warrior by moving its flying finish further ahead whilst the Kedong stage will be run in the reverse direction.
Kahumbura was speaking during the Sports Ministry’s stakeholder breakfast held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi.
He added: “Apart from minor changes made to the Sleeping Warrior and Kedong speed tests, the rest of the competitive runs will remain intact.”
The Wildlife Institute will continue hosting Rally Headquarters and Service Park.
Kedong has since been adjudged by world rally teams as the toughest stage of Safari given its notorious soft volcanic ash soil terrain (fesh fesh) which has redefined the toughness of the fabled Kenyan round on its return to the global arena.
The Safari is the third round of the 2024 World Rally Championships after this month’s Rallye Monte (January 25-28) and Rally Sweden (15-18 February).
