THE SPECTACLE OF THE SAFARI RALLY.

Motorsport fanatics in Kenya have had some euphoric few days, as they were being treated to a rush of sensational races by masterly drivers at the 2023 edition of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, from Thursday 23th to Sunday 25th.


The Safari Rally was birthed in 1953, as a token of exaltation of Queen Elizabeth II, by the East African nations, after her coronation in 1953. It became the East African Safari Rally in 1960, and also added to the WRC calendar. However it was removed from the WRC calendar in 2002, cotinuing as an independent race. It would only return in 2021. That edition was won by Toyota ace Sebastien Ogier, and last year another Toyota stalwart, Kalle Rovanpera emerged victorious.

This year’s adventure was flagged off by Kenyan President William Ruto at Kasarani; with the 4.84km super special stage, which was also the first speed test of the 29-stage rally. The drivers did not disappoint as they diffused the atmosphere with red earth, leaving thousands of expectant fans exultant. Races continued to thrill on Friday a nd Saturday.


On Sunday, French man Ogier held off the challenge of main rival, Kalle Rovanpera, manoeuvring through the rough patches of Kenya’s rocky terrain to claim a third victory in his five starts this campaign. He had to endure sweltering conditions coupled with overheating engines and a crannied wind screen, not to mention time lapses, before cruising past the finish line, with a gap of 6.7 seconds at Hells Gate in Naivasha.


He looked relieved during his utterance: “Unbelievable! Look at that, even on the Power Stage I got a stone on the windscreen! We had a lot of issues to face but it could have been a more comfortable rally for us in terms of pace. A lot of misfortune but we brought it home.” Chief spectator President Ruto would then hand him and his co-driver, Vincent Landais, the winner’s trophies.


Runner up Rovanpera still leads the WRC table by 37 points with five races to go, and he was satisfied with his performance wherefore remarking; ” You always want to fight for the win but we did our best starting first car on the road, so regarding that I think it’s not fully bad. Good points for the season anyway.”


In the second tier, Kajetan Kajetanowicz secured his second Kenyan WRC2 victory in a Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.
The event that brings the eyes of the world to Kenya and was even broadcast live on national television and live streamed on WRC TV. A sporting phenomenon that connects Kenya to legions of people from around the globe who gaze upon the beauteous lake Naivasha , it’s rich wild life, its flamboyant terrain, Uhuru park and the culture of the local people. Hotel businesses smile at the approach of such bashes. So does the government as this unifies the locals, but also serves to educate the younger generation about their heritage and the Safari.


Inspiration should be drawn from Kenya’s sports initiative by other developing states like Uganda, who have the potential to host such mammoth events, but have never looked like doing so. The government of Uganda should put in place the necessary infrastructure to host such rallies, as this can be lucrative to various parties, as well as achieving greater social benefits.

ARTICLE BY: RAPHEAL LUBANGAKENE

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