PRESS RELEASE: 2017 Safari Rally

The 2017 Safari Rally which has attracted 51 drivers will start at the KICC on March 17 and end at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru the following day.

This new concept is being used to return the Safari back to the Kenyan people, Supi Soin who is the Clerk –of- the- Course said yesterday.

The Safari will start at the KICC and the 51 drivers, 26 of them foreigners, will head to Jamhuri Park for a Super Special stage before heading to Kimuka in Ngong Hills for the first Competitive Stage proper  through Kedong Valley and ending at Suswa on the floor of the Rift Valley..

This was once one of the longest Safari Stage and the ultimate test of stamina and alertness.

The next section will start at Panda  and end at Sopa Lodge for service before halting at Bufalo Mall in Naivasha for an overnight stay, Soin said.

On Saturday survivors will start the first test at Soysambu Ranch before travelling to the foot of the Aberdares  ranges  in Bahati and Dondori forests where altitude will be a major factor and extremely tough it rains.
Rally cars last used these sections in early 80s.

Drivers will then return to Nakuru  town via the main highway  and proceed to the  last competitive section in the Gicheha farm along nakuru/Eldoret highway near Salgaa shopping centre.

People of Nakuru will be treated to a rare sight of the rally cars using tarmac and entering the densely populated area of Afraha Stadium for the finish, said  Soin.

Nakuru’s Midland Hotel which is centrally located in town used to be one of the favourite halts in the World Rally Championship Safari which offered fans a bird eye view of the cars arriving and leaving from the railway foot bridge crossing.

Soin said they will deploy marshals  after every 100 metres in all roads which have diversions and all competitive sections will be closed from vehicles including motorbikes during the time of competition.

Road closure and safety  is one of the requirements in modern day WRC events and the Kenya Motor Sports Federation has invested heavily on this area.

The FIA will send two observers from Tanzania and South Africa to monitor all aspects of the Safari which must  conform to WRC standards as Kenya prepares to run a WRC Candidate event next year leading to restoration of full status in 2019.