Wrc safari rally project 2020

[Daviesalaam]

Todt who will officially open the WRC Safari Rally Project Headquarters at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, the nerve centre of the government-funded initiative to fast track Kenya’s bid to return the Safari back to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) by 2020.

Todt later met with directors of the Kenya Motor Sport Federation (KMSF) and the President of Automobile Association of Kenya (AA) Jinaro Kibet who was accompanied by his Director General Francis Theuri in a working luncheon at Villa Rosa Kempinski.

Besides motorsport, Todt is also the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Road Safety and he is on a stopover in Nairobi enroute to Uganda for a UN engagement.

Kimathi said it was an honor for Todt, third in 1973 Safari Rally navigating Swede Ove Andersson in a Peugeot 504, to accept opening the Safari headquarters tomorrow and discuss at length the Safari Rally subject with government and Motorsport authorities.

This is his third visit to Kenya since 2015 and has been engaged by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Motorsport officials on a future WRC Safari Rally.

In response to the position of the Safari Rally in a 2016 Press Conference Todtrevealed that Africa is a very key region for the FIA in terms of rallying but added the necessary guarantees set by the FIA will have to be met.

Among the issues Todt pointed on Kenya was road safety as well as the deviation from the public roads to private land rallying.

“If all the processes are followed we see no reason why Kenya cannot make it back to the WRC. So far we are very impressed with the Kenya National Rally Championship as one of the best run events in Africa.

“But the new standards of rallying must be respected. What was possible back then when events ran on open roads is not possible these days with the population. Rallies must now be organized on closed roads, “Todt said.

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[andyone]

i cant wait for Safari Rally to return. i will upload some amazing Videos through
our Tanzania youtube channel.
i really hope this will prosper and bring Africa to the championship calendar

[racerx1979]

Lets hope this actually happens. As someone who grew up in Kenya I would not get my hopes up. If any higher up politician gets involved this will end up as a money making scheme to make a few people rich... Lets hope I'm wrong.

I'm surprised not to see pictures of Harri Rovanpera as he basically lives with the Raiply guys.

[Simmi]

I'm a bit torn about this one personally. I think we'd all love to see the Safari back, but when it arrives you won't recognise it.

Setting expectations will be key with closed roads and cloverleaf format. As much as the concept of three longer "enduro" events (Monte, Safari, GB) makes sense - it isn't happening.

I guess it boils down to - would the WRC benefit from being in Africa? Would a modern day sprint event still be cool on these roads? Would it add something different to the championship? I think the answer to all of those is definitively yes.

[AL14]

I agree, Safari as it was will not come back. I think that with the right expectations this could be a very nice addition to the championship and maybe, even respecting the modern format, it could bring something different other than the scenery and location

[kirungi okwogera]

Yeah I hope for longer stages (Corsica style?) and longer overall km's if it is to return with some of the character that it had before, but I wouldn't expect it to resemble its old nature. I don't think most people would, at this point.

The character will have to come from the roads, the environment and crowds, as it does from every other rally - hopefully the format will be unique enough to contribute to that too, but even if it is a 300km/24 stage sprint, I'd still love to see Africa back in the calendar. A world championship needs to cover the 2nd most populous continent. Especially in a sport that prides itself on adverse conditions and varied environments.

[Zeakiwi]

Nanyuki area is one possibility - private farm land tracks for closed stages.
https://youtu.be/ycka1s0RjBQ?t=1m50s

Nanyuki Event cancelled in 2017 due pastoralist invasion in severe drought conditions?
https://www.kawowo.com/2017/07/10/pastoralist-force-nanyuki-rally-cancellation/

Probably be like china with an annual postponement. Bring back NZ?

[AnttiL]

Candidate event starts tomorrow. SS2 is already cancelled because of bad road conditions

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-oeNRmWsAAtVsC.jpg

[cali]

Candidate event starts tomorrow. SS2 is already cancelled because of bad road conditions

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-oeNRmWsAAtVsC.jpgNot looking good

[AnttiL]

https://twitter.com/ram_yashiri/status/1148132481570414592

https://twitter.com/ram_yashiri/status/1147826063592120320

Only two cars got through the last stage without outside assistance. Same place where Burns got stuck in 2002.

[racerx1979]

Well everyone wanted a "Safari" rally... Now not so much...

[racerx1979]

Unfortunately it says a lot about the organizers unless there was some freak storm the night before. Didn't they recce the stages? I also heard there was an accident, but that was on Kenyan media

[AnttiL]

Unfortunately it says a lot about the organizers unless there was some freak storm the night before. Didn't they recce the stages? I also heard there was an accident, but that was on Kenyan media

https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/41452-death-strikes-after-driver-imitates-race-cars-safari-rally-photos

Apparently some people were drunk and drove into the stage after it ended, rolled the car, with one dead.

[racerx1979]

Sad... I'm pretty sure they killed their chances. No comparison to the likes of Estonia or New Zealand.

[racerx1979]

Lots of FIA personnel received plenty of "hospitality" from the organizers/promoters so suspect it will still be in the WRC in 2020.

Yeah, the organizers are nearly billionaires in Kenya. They own one of the biggest sugar processing factories in the world apparently. You can bet your a$$ the FIA officials were well taken care of. Why do you think ex WRC drivers live in Kenya for months training these wealthy Indian drivers?? Nairobi is extremely dangerous, but they get treated extremely well.

[Tauri_J]

I bet it still be on the calendar...money talks.

[Andre Oliveira]

Imagine all the drama on WRC+ Live. I am excited about that. People wants GrB back, FIA gave it. People wants Safari back... lets do it! People are so strange nowadays...

[EstWRC]

i have never wanted it back

[racerx1979]

I'm not saying it won't be cool, but what does it really bring to the sport? Toyota is a huge market for Africa, but that's about it. Otherwise it's a joke honestly.

From what I know so far, both TGR and Hyundai are completely against it even though they may say otherwise when being interviewed. I can only imagine M-Sport and Citroen are totally against it just from a budget stance.

[Mintexmemory]

I'm not saying it won't be cool, but what does it really bring to the sport? Toyota is a huge market for Africa, but that's about it. Otherwise it's a joke honestly.

From what I know so far, both TGR and Hyundai are completely against it even though they may say otherwise when being interviewed. I can only imagine M-Sport and Citroen are totally against it just from a budget stance.

Not surprising the teams would hate it. A one-off suspension will need to be developed to have any hope of dealing with the mud and ruts. The aero will be compromised by rhino guards and roof mods, and the intakes and exhausts will have to be proofed against water. Not surprising that back in the day there were separate contracts for the WDC _ Waldegaard drove for Ford in his Championship year but Mercedes in the Safari and Cote d'Ivoire

[AnttiL]

Teams used to spend half a year testing for Safari alone, and they had semi-retired drivers and local specialists doing one-offs only for Safari. Back in those days Safari mattered to the manufacturers for marketing value, especially for the Japanese teams.

[Barreis]

as you said in one of previous posts, times have changed

[EstWRC]

I'm not saying it won't be cool, but what does it really bring to the sport? Toyota is a huge market for Africa, but that's about it. Otherwise it's a joke honestly.

From what I know so far, both TGR and Hyundai are completely against it even though they may say otherwise when being interviewed. I can only imagine M-Sport and Citroen are totally against it just from a budget stance.


And here we go https://t.co/3R5xGwKwjW


Lol. Useless money thief

[tc10a]

Very sad to see if any traditional european round will be dropped from the calendar for this farce of a candidate event.

[racerx1979]

Teams used to spend half a year testing for Safari alone, and they had semi-retired drivers and local specialists doing one-offs only for Safari. Back in those days Safari mattered to the manufacturers for marketing value, especially for the Japanese teams.

I wrote a looong post about how Mitsubish and others had a crazy budget for the safari when Tommi was part of the team, but then I deleted it haha. They had some crazy budget of like 6 million just for the safari rally. It was something absurd.

The good old days (90's) when drivers like Kenjiro Shinozuka would smoke some weed before going out and getting like 4-5th overall. At that time the teams had outfits in Kenya working on the cars. The Toyota's were listed as Toyota Team Kenya! Crazy times...

Things have changed now. Drump and Kim Dong Fun are friends, we have tons of billionaire wannabe's on social media and kids are shooting their brains out from depression. Maybe I'm just an old 39 yr old who needs to get with the times.

[rallyfiend]

Very sad to see if any traditional european round will be dropped from the calendar for this farce of a candidate event.

Do you seriously consider Germany a 'traditional European round'....?

C'mon.

you must be joking.

How is going to Africa for a rally a bad thing?

It's called the 'World' Rally Championship. I can't believe the negativity about going to one of the major continents of the 'World'.....

[Googol]

Do you seriously consider Germany a 'traditional European round'....?

C'mon.

you must be joking.

How is going to Africa for a rally a bad thing?

It's called the 'World' Rally Championship. I can't believe the negativity about going to one of the major continents of the 'World'.....

All regular participants in the main class are from one continent. A silly exotic excursion is not going to change that. 'World' should refer to where the participants come, not who is willing to pay most to host an event.

[EstWRC]

All regular participants in the main class are from one continent. A silly exotic excursion is not going to change that. 'World' should refer to where the participants come, not who is willing to pay most to host an event.

Amen!

[steve.mandzij]

All regular participants in the main class are from one continent. A silly exotic excursion is not going to change that. 'World' should refer to where the participants come, not who is willing to pay most to host an event.It's easier to host an event in Africa than to find a championship-level driver from Argentina, Kenya or Japan.

[masa90]

Is the event planned to be near Nairobi or where? If it goes ahead I must say I would be really interested to go there, though it would require lots of planning coming from other side of the planet. And to be honest I am not sure if I would dare to drive myself.

[racerx1979]

Is the event planned to be near Nairobi or where? If it goes ahead I must say I would be really interested to go there, though it would require lots of planning coming from other side of the planet. And to be honest I am not sure if I would dare to drive myself.

Don't drive and stay indoors when it's dark. Chances of getting mugged are about 70 percent. If it's during election time I would stay at home and watch on All Live.

[masa90]

Ok, is the situation that bad in Kenya? I have dreamt of a trip there, but ofcourse do not want to risk it.

[denkimi]

It's easier to host an event in Africa than to find a championship-level driver from Argentina, Kenya or Japan.
Well there are more wrc rally's than wrc seats, so that's no suprise.

[JUF]

Ok, is the situation that bad in Kenya? I have dreamt of a trip there, but ofcourse do not want to risk it.

Do it! Remember what racerx1979 has written, then you should be totally fine.

[sonnybobiche]

“But the new standards of rallying must be respected. What was possible back then when events ran on open roads is not possible these days with the population. Rallies must now be organized on closed roads, “Todt said.

Would that this man could simply buy his seat at the head of the UN and just go away. Every minute he's president of the FIA is another minute spent heading in the wrong direction. He and Mosley before him are the undertakers of motorsport.

Shameful that he was once a co-driver.

[racerx1979]

Ok, is the situation that bad in Kenya? I have dreamt of a trip there, but ofcourse do not want to risk it.

Umm yeah. Every single one of my family members carries a gun in the glove compartment of their car. And nearly everyone who has attempted to walk at night has had their phones or wallets taken It's unsafe.

If you know who Henry Rollins is then listen to his podcast with Joe Rogan. He's been to over a 100 countries and the most unsafe for him was Nairobi at night. He even mentions being warned by locals to stay in.

Don't think you're going to some country where you can stroll with your backpack and high five people while eating street food. Be safe and enjoy the rally. Drive carefully if you decide to drive and stay in at night or go out to safe areas (malls etc).

The wildlife in Kenya is a dream and I suggest everyone go to safari in Kenya. Masai Mara is amazing!

I've been to Kenya at least 12 times in the last 5 years and nothing has happened. We had a small situation when trying to enter an apartment. A car literally tried to trap us, but when the individual came out of his car, my cousin backed up and drove away quickly. I was shocked, but my cousin then told me to always leave enough space between the car and the gate to make a quick getaway in case someone tries to trap you... yeah not so safe.

[andyone]

Is the event planned to be near Nairobi or where? If it goes ahead I must say I would be really interested to go there, though it would require lots of planning coming from other side of the planet. And to be honest I am not sure if I would dare to drive myself.You will find it the easiest of all. Love for rally is here i. Africa as well. Let us enjoy the WRC events as well. The people who are negative forget that there sre a lot of us in this part of the world that love rally and would like to see one in real. Rally is the sport where there is love among the fans. Let us join the world to enjoy this spectacular sport.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

[AnttiL]

Would that this man could simply buy his seat at the head of the UN and just go away. Every minute he's president of the FIA is another minute spent heading in the wrong direction. He and Mosley before him are the undertakers of motorsport.

Shameful that he was once a co-driver.

Huh? What's wrong with demanding closed roads for rallying?

[AnttiL]

Apparently there's security concerns over the rally. Not spectator safety issues, but threats of Somali terrorist groups. The rally organizers of course ensure everything will be OK.

https://www.dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/safari-rally-chief-plays-down-wrc-return-concerns/

[GigiGalliNo1]

Coming from a media perspective. If I'm threatened for my equipment I'd just happily hand it over. Insurance is key. Though if i'm kidnapped then that's a different story. No thanks :D

[Gregor-y]

Huh? What's wrong with demanding closed roads for rallying?

Todt is no Mosley. The lack of swastikas is a dead giveaway...

[the sniper]

Apparently there's security concerns over the rally. Not spectator safety issues, but threats of Somali terrorist groups. The rally organizers of course ensure everything will be OK.

https://www.dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/safari-rally-chief-plays-down-wrc-return-concerns/

To me this was always the primary risk, though I can imagine the Kenyan Government throwing everything they've got at trying to keep it safe. I can imagine individual Police/Army escorts for each Priority 1 and 2 crew on public road sections.

[Allez Andruet]

I can imagine individual Police/Army escorts for each Priority 1 and 2 crew on public road sections.

That's what I thought as well. But then again, what the hell are we as WRC doing in countries where such arrangement is required? If police/army is needed to protect the competitors during the rally then just cancel the whole freaking thing.

[Zeakiwi2]

The Al Shabaab shot up the US Military on the Kenyan coast not many weeks ago. They did the Nairobi mall attack also.
The Kenyan drought and locust plague etc have probably made some of the local population have some tough circumstances and become 'opportunistic'.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/28/world/u-s-warns-attack-threat-major-hotel-nairobi/#.Xl45AagzaUk

[rallyfiend]

Where’s the sense of adventure?!

When did rally people become such pussies?

[dupanton]

Where’s the sense of adventure?!

When did rally people become such pussies?

There is a big difference between adventure and danger... They will have to be sure it remains mainly adventure and there is no big chance of an incident...

[Tauri_J]

So we will have 316 stage kilometers. Very short for safari.

[AnttiL]

So we will have 316 stage kilometers. Very short for safari.

I never expected anything more. Again, imagine it's WRC Rally Kenya, not "Safari". Feels already a lot better.

[Tauri_J]

I know, but I read an article a while ago where Mouton was asking for organisers to toughen up the route. I hoped for 400 at least, but oh well got to live with it.

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/safari-rally-toughen-route-mouton/4372846/

[AnttiL]

I know, but I read an article a while ago where Mouton was asking for organisers to toughen up the route. I hoped for 400 at least, but oh well got to live with it.

https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/safari-rally-toughen-route-mouton/4372846/

Yeah, I remember that, but I never believed in that realizing.

[AnttiL]

https://safarirally.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/WRC-Safari-Rally-Rally-Guide-1.pdf

Longest stages are 33 and 31 km in length.

Recce video from the power stage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFiSmtExmco

[AnttiL]

All stages onboards https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0WuM8edosyex3h4o5X3twlBxgXejni70

[AndyRAC]

Drop the 'Safari' name from the title. Call it Rally Kenya and it's fine as a modern sprint type WRC event. The Safari it ain't........

To use a quote from Josey Wales - "don't pi55 down my leg, and tell me it's raining"

[AnttiL]

Drop the 'Safari' name from the title. Call it Rally Kenya and it's fine


I said this already two years ago :D

[Mirek]

All stages onboards https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0WuM8edosyex3h4o5X3twlBxgXejni70

I've seen so far only half of one stage (Oserian) and no matter how it's called it's pretty brutal compared to anything being run now and aboslutely not similar to any other rally in the calendar. Large part of the road is just trails in the grass. Also a zebra on the road :D

[tommeke_B]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPXhjR6jdsY&list=PL0WuM8edosyex3h4o5X3twlBxgXejni70&index=5&t=123s More zebras :D I'm wondering what they'll do with the cutting from drivers, where you draw the line for what is allowed and when you get a penalty, or if they are going to put physical objects to prevent cutting. They'll have to prepare something in advance or it will be one big mess.

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPXhjR6jdsY&list=PL0WuM8edosyex3h4o5X3twlBxgXejni70&index=5&t=123s More zebras :D I'm wondering what they'll do with the cutting from drivers, where you draw the line for what is allowed and when you get a penalty, or if they are going to put physical objects to prevent cutting. They'll have to prepare something in advance or it will be one big mess.

impossible to put physical objects for so many km.At your video they must do it at almost all stage.

[the sniper]

Well, if it gets cancelled, at least we've been able to see the stages. For those that don't know, these have been uploaded by Iain Campbell, Clerk of the Course of Wales Rally GB, who's been doing a lot of work on this Safari.

I do wonder whether these weren't intended for us to see, so might disappear?

[AnttiL]

Well, if it gets cancelled, at least we've been able to see the stages. For those that don't know, these have been uploaded by Iain Campbell, Clerk of the Course of Wales Rally GB, who's been doing a lot of work on this Safari.

I do wonder whether these weren't intended for us to see, so might disappear?

They are linked from the RG1 which is a public document, but I also thought that they could go offline soon.

[pantealex]

https://safarirally.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/WRC-Safari-Rally-Rally-Guide-1.pdf



4.2 WRC and WRC3 (not event for WRC2)

4.3 max totally 50 cars (I will be surprised if there is 20 FIA cars)

[GigiGalliNo1]

Not sure if anyone saw the link I shared on Twitter but the Safari rally date and event has been postponed.

[Tauri_J]

No teams were going there anyway.

[lluisva555]

Some read about the aero and cooling in the Safari of the old days while we wait for 2021 edition

https://www.wrcwings.tech/2020/05/17/aerodynamics-and-cooling-for-the-safari-rally-in-the-old-days/

[dimviii]

Some read about the aero and cooling in the Safari of the old days while we wait for 2021 edition

https://www.wrcwings.tech/2020/05/17/aerodynamics-and-cooling-for-the-safari-rally-in-the-old-days/

also it was common these days to have special ''safari chassis''

[AnttiL]

also it was common these days to have special ''safari chassis''

How was that done because everything had to be homologated? Or was there just more freedom to change parts within/outside the homologated things?

[dimviii]

How was that done because everything had to be homologated? Or was there just more freedom to change parts within/outside the homologated things?

it was extra reinforced chassis,dont know how it worked with homologation,but i know it for sure.
Probably it wasnt a problem,as all these reinforcements were homologated.
It was common at some teams at 80s 90s
Also some teams used ''safari spec chassis'' to Acropolis also

[AnttiL]

it was extra reinforced chassis,dont know how it worked with homologation,but i know it for sure.It was common at some teams at 80s 90s
Also some teams used ''safari spec chassis'' to Acropolis also

The Dirtfish podcast just mentioned about Mitsubishi having had Kenjiro Shinozuka with Japanese-prepared Safari-spec Mitsubishis and struggling there for years, and then Ralliart came in 1996 with an Acropolis-spec car and first-timer Mäkinen and won the event! They basically tested every single damper for 20 km before the rally to weed out the bad ones, and changed the dampers at every service, whether they were faulty or not.

[dimviii]

The Dirtfish podcast just mentioned about Mitsubishi having had Kenjiro Shinozuka with Japanese-prepared Safari-spec Mitsubishis and struggling there for years, and then Ralliart came in 1996 with an Acropolis-spec car and first-timer Mäkinen and won the event! They basically tested every single damper for 20 km before the rally to weed out the bad ones, and changed the dampers at every service, whether they were faulty or not.

at this era,it was common to change whole suspension after one day,and some times at midday service,specially at the hard gravel rallies.Tottaly different era at suspension technology.
I remember water spray nozzles patent spraying at shocks for Acropolis for example.
all these patents,just to survive the suspension for 3-4 stages.

[lluisva555]

These are the specific modifications allowed by regulations in 2001 for Safari Rally:

4.1 Permitted modifications

4.1.1 The air intake for the engine of group 'A' cars may be modified by making a hole, of maximum 10cm diameter, in the engine bonnet only, in order to provide air for the engine through a 'snorkel', Appendix J, article 255.5.1.8. The air intake for the engine for group 'N' cars may be modified nsimilarly.
For group N cars, the addition of another tube from the bonnet to the air box is authorised. The air box may be modified accordingly, but must be identifiable as an original part and its position may not be changed, and the original air cleaner element must be retained.
4.1.2 Additional headlights, in accordance with Appendix J of the International Sporting Code, Articles 251.2.6, 254.6.7 and 255.5.8.5, are permitted provided that no light is mounted higher than the bottom of the windscreen.
4.1.3 Suspension travel straps are allowed.
4.1.4 All two-way radio installations are subject to authorisation and frequency allocation.
4.1.5 A maximum of two spare wheels will be allowed for all crews and these need not occupy the position(s) recommended by the manufacturer.
4.1.6 Mud flaps, in accordance with Appendix J, article 252.7.7, are authorised and are compulsory behind all driven and rear wheels and must be in place at the exit of all service parks.
4.1.7 Fitting of under body protections are authorised in accordance with Appendix J, articles 254.6.6.1 and 255.5.7.2.10. A cowcatcher in accordance with Appendix J, article 284.6.6.1, may be fitted.
4.1.8 The use of an increased capacity fuel tank(s) is authorised.
4.1.9 Competitors are reminded that translucent and colourless anti-shatter films on the side windows are mandatory. Silvered and tinted windows in accordance with Appendix J, article 253.11, are authorised, but have to be fitted in addition to the anti-shatter films.
4.1.10 Rear seats need not be carried.