• The winner bags 18 points and drops to 15, 13, 10, eight, six, four, three, two and one. But to secure these points, drivers must finish the rally on Sunday.
• Shakedown will coincide with the inauguration of the Kenya Rally School through the Talanta Hela initiative as part of the long-term plan to unearth black indigenous African drivers.
Image: FILE
This week’s World Rally Championships Safari Rally Kenya will experience several changes.
In addition to moving from June to the Easter holiday weekend, the event will embrace the new point-scoring system. Previously, points were awarded based on the overall rally result.
The winner received 25 points, sliding down to the 10th-placed finisher, who earned just one. The Wolf Power Stage provided a bonus, bringing the maximum possible score to 30.
But beginning with the season-opener — Rallye Monte Carlo — and for the first time on Safari, drivers will be awarded through the stages.
However, the perfect score remains 30 points.
On Saturday, points will be awarded based on the general classification after the final time control. This mid-rally reward system adds an extra layer of excitement and keeps competitors on their toes.
The winner bags 18 points and drops to 15, 13, 10, eight, six, four, three, two and one. But to secure these points, drivers must finish the rally on Sunday.
In case of a non-finish, the points pass to the next eligible competitor.
Clerk of the course Gurvir Bhabra said the event starts with the Super Special Stage in Nairobi on Thursday. Friday has the same opening loop as 2023; Loldia, Geothermal and Kedong.
On Saturday, the drivers head to the Delamare Estates, the backbone of the Safari Rally since its inception. They will then have to deal with an 80km final day, finishing with the Hells Gate Power Stage. 19 Special Stages and over 360km make up this year’s Safari Rally Kenya route.
Shakedown Loldia
The Ndulele Conservancy off the Moi North Lake Road will once again host the Shakedown from 10:01 hours on Wednesday. The challenging 5.4km Kenyan rally tracks will see action from the various classes of WRC rally cars.
Shakedown will coincide with the inauguration of the Kenya Rally School through the Talanta Hela initiative as part of the long-term plan to unearth black indigenous African drivers.
Gurvir continued: “At Shakedown, the undulating tracks with varying surfaces through a wooded landscape will allow the crews to sample what to expect at the 2024 Safari Rally Kenya. Heat, dust and a challenging road surface will allow Teams to fine-tune their vehicle setups and event strategy in preparation for the rally proper on Thursday.”
The challenge could get bigger should it rain.
SSS1 Super Special Kasarani 4.84km 2:05 pm
Reconnaissance at the Kasarani Spectator Stage (SS1) by the drivers in their WRC Rally1 cars starts at 10 am. They then head to Kenyatta International Convention Centre for the 11:51 am press conference, followed by the Ceremonial Start at 12:26 pm.
The SSS 1, Kasarani will start off the competition with two cars racing at a time from 2:05 pm.
Gurvir said Kedong 1 and 2 — 31.50km run at 10.26 pm and repeated at 3:59 pm on Thursday will be ‘a killer’.
“It’s a firm favourite for the fans. We have a new section around the Miti Mbili trees and join the tracks from previous years. The whole stage is run in reverse, starting with the flat-out blast past the spectator area.
SS 14/17 Malewa 1 and 2 — 8.33 km will be run at 07:02 am and repeated at 11:20 am
Gurvir added: “Malewa is a short, sharp stage that takes crews through some technically demanding stage miles that climb and dip over abrasive surfaces with sharp square lefts and rights.
SS 15/18 Oserengoni 1 & 2 is the event’s penalty mate run totalling 18.33 km run at 07:57 am and 12:10 pm.
Set within the Oserengoni Sanctuary, this is one of the more exciting stages. It hosts a lot of incidental spectators ranging from antelopes to zebras.
SS 17/19 Hellsgate will be a LIVE TV stage totaling 10.53km and run at 09:05 am and 14:15 am
“The famous Hell’s Gate stage with its fast ascents and descents runs as the third and final competitive stage of the Safari Rally on the final day. It has perhaps the most scenic backdrop of any of the Power Stages on the World Rally Championship," said Guvir.
"With the finish line along the picturesque Fisher’s Tower, Hell’s Gate presents a great opportunity for spectators to get close to the action and watch the battle for the Power Stage and championship points."
Autograph Venue: Buffalo Mall, Naivasha
Fans will this year have several organised opportunities to meet their favourite drivers. On their return from the stages on Friday, the drivers will stop for an autograph session at the Buffalo Mall Passage Control twice. First after 11 am and later after 4:30 pm. The Passage Control will also be visited after 10 am and at 4:30 pm on Saturday.
In his Spectator Guide message, President William Ruto said: “The 71st edition of WRC Safari Rally, which reverts to its traditional Easter weekend, has also marked the official ignition of the Talanta Rally Academy, our new customised school for breeding the next generations of elite rally drivers.”
“Established under the Talanta Hela flagship and anchored by the Kenya Academy of Sports, the Rally School will be open to Kenyan youngsters and budding drivers from across Africa and the rest of the world. Every successful WRC Safari Rally edition takes meticulous planning and enormous resources.”
Itinerary
Wednesday: Shakedown Loldia (10.01 am)
Thursday: Flag Off Kicc (12:26 pm), Kasarani Super Special Stage — 4.84Km (2:05 pm)
Friday: Stage 2 Loidia 1, Stage 3 Geothermal 1, Stage4 Kedong 1, Stage 5 Loidia 2, Stage 6 Geothermal 2, Stage 7 Kedong 2
Saturday: Stage 8 Soysambu 1, Stage 9 Elmenteita 1, Stage 10 Sleeping Warrior 1, Stage 11 Soysambu 2, Stage 12 Elementeuta 2, Stage 13 Sleeping Warrior 2
Sunday: Stage 14 Malewa 1, Stage 15 Oserengoni 1, Stage 16 Hell’s Gate 1, Stage 17 Malewa 2, Stage 18 Oserengoni 2, Stage 18 Wolf Power Stage Hell’s Gate (2:15 pm)
Distance: Competitive — 376.76Km, Transport — 889.81Km, Total Distance — 1267.57Km