The Safari Rally Kenya gets underway this week in the Naivasha region of Kenya. The legendary event is widely regarded as one of the toughest rounds of the World Rally Championship, where rocky roads, fine fesh-fesh dust and rapidly changing weather conditions test both drivers and machinery.
This year, heavy rain in the region has added an extra layer of difficulty. In some places the stages have reportedly become muddy and slippery, and conditions are expected to change quickly if further showers arrive during the rally.
Among the Finnish drivers competing are Sami Pajari, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, and Esapekka Lappi, who will compete in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2.
For Pajari, Safari Rally is still a relatively new experience. Last year he competed in the event for the first time and finished fourth overall.
“Kenya is a completely different and unique challenge. Doing the rally for the first time last year was a real adventure. On some stages it’s more about surviving, while others are faster and flowing. I hope this year we can fight for the podium, but it’s also important to know when to push and when to take a more cautious approach,” Pajari said.
Lappi also emphasises the unique nature of the Safari Rally, where reliability often matters more than outright performance.
“We’ve focused our preparations on reliability. Pure performance is not as crucial in Kenya as in many other rallies. The goal is to be on the pace and fight for a good result, but that requires a calm and composed approach,” Lappi explained.
Safari Rally Kenya is one of the most historic events on the WRC calendar, where success is often determined by the balance between speed and careful risk management.
