Five-time national rally champion Carl Tundo has admitted that the World Rally Championship (WRC) could pose some challenges for many drivers.

Tundo who is also the ARC Equator Rally winner is however optimistic that he will perform well in the rally that is slated from Naivasha.

The rally that has attracted 58 drivers will be staged in Hell’s Gate, Loldia farm and Soysambu conservancy with spectator zones highly secured as part of observing Covid-19 protocols.

This came as Safaricom moved in to sponsor Tundo and his co-driver Tim Jessop with Sh3.5m for the four-day event.

Speaking in Enashipai Spa in Naivasha during the ceremony, Tundo said unlike in the past, this year’s event had more powerful cars and the routes were tricky.

“Though we have vast experience, we expect this rally to be competitive as the cars have changed, we have younger drivers and the routes are new,” he said.

While thanking Safaricom for the sponsorship, Tundo added that he would use his vast wealth of experience to support upcoming young drivers.

The multiple Kenya National Rally Championship winner will be driving a Minti Motorsports VW Polo R5, the same car that saw him clinch the 2021 ARC Equator Rally.

 Safaricom chief financial service officer Sitoyo Lopokoiyit said the firm is keen to support sports in the country.

He said that to date the telco has had used over Sh1 billion in sponsoring various forms of sports including rally, rugby, football and golf.

“Safaricom is keen to support upcoming young drivers and we have used Sh15m for the three young drivers as part of empowering the youths in the sport field,” he said.

On WRC, Sitoyo said that they were looking forward to Tundo winning, adding that they were keen to extend the sponsorship.