KICC start and Nakuru finish for Safari Rally

This year’s Safari Rally, which has attracted 51 drivers, will start at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi on March 17 and end at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium the following day.

This new concept is being used in an attempt “to return the Safari back to the Kenyan people,” Guvir Bhabra, who is the clerk of the course, said on Thursday.

The Safari will start at the KICC after which the 51 drivers — 26 of them foreigners — will head to Jamhuri Park for a “Super Special” stage before zooming 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.

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.

On the following day, a Saturday, the 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 with the route extremely tough if it rains as anticipated.

TREATED TO RARE SIGHT

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

Nakuru fans 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.

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

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