2024 Safari Rally Kenya entry list confirmed
By Collins Amanga, March 26, 2024
The roster for the upcoming 2024 Safari Rally Kenya has been finalized ahead of the event scheduled from Thursday to Sunday this week.
Esapekka Lappi aims to maintain his winning streak following his recent triumph in Sweden. Driving for Hyundai Motorsport part-time, Lappi will pilot an i20 N Rally1 car alongside Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak.
Ogier to 2024 Safari Rally
Though Sébastien Ogier won’t be competing this year, Toyota Gazoo Racing, last year’s winner, will be represented by reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, and Takamoto Katsuta.
M-Sport Ford will field three Puma Rally1s with Adrien Fourmaux, Grégoire Munster, and Jourdan Serderidis.
WRC2 promises intense competition with drivers like Oliver Solberg, Gus Greensmith, Nicolas Ciamin, and Kajetan Kajetanowicz contending for victory. Local drivers Carl Tundo and Karan Patel, along with FIA Junior WRC regular Diego Domínguez, will also make their mark. Here is the full list.
The Safari Rally Kenya, set amidst Africa’s rugged terrain, poses challenges like mud, rocks, fesh-fesh sand, and demanding water crossings, making it the ultimate test of endurance for drivers.
The main event kicks off on Thursday, March 28, and runs until March 31, showcasing breathtaking landscapes and unpredictable weather conditions.
Safari Rally history
Originally known as the East African Coronation Safari in 1953, the rally has evolved over the years, gaining a reputation as the toughest WRC round. Renamed the Kenya Safari Rally in 1974, it boasts a rich history with over 5000 competitive kilometers.
After adopting a special stage format in 1996, the rally featured over 1000km of timed tests until 2002. It returned to the WRC calendar in 2021, with Kenya’s Shekhar Mehta holding the record for the most Safari Rally wins, with five victories.