Two-time World Rally
Champion Kalle Rovanpera, Takamoto Katsuta, Elfyn Evans and Sami Pajari will
spearhead Toyota Gazoo Racing’s formidable four-car assault at the WRC Safari
Rally, set for March 20-23 in Nairobi and Nakuru counties.
The Safari Rally will
be the third leg of the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) after which it
will move to Spain for the Rally Islas Canarias (April 24-27).
The season kicked off
with Rallye Monte-Carlo in Monaco (January 23-26) before heading for a
snow-covered showdown at Rally Sweden last weekend.
Rovanpera will be
gunning for back-to-back victories in Kenya after clinching last year’s Safari
Rally in a time of 3:36:04.0.
His Toyota teammate,
Katsuta, trailed in 3:37:41.8, while M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux completed
the podium in 3:38:29.1.
WRC Safari Rally CEO
Charles Gacheru confirmed the participation of the rallying heavyweights during
the CFAO Mobility Kenya sponsorship announcement at Toyota Kenya’s head offices
along Lusaka Road.
"We already have
entries from Rovanpero, Evans, Takamoto and Sami, who form a four-car lineup
from the Toyota team for this year's Safari Rally," Gacheru confirmed.
He emphasized the
high-stakes competition, especially with Toyota fresh off a dominant victory in
Sweden, where Evans emerged triumphant.
"Toyota just won
Rally Sweden over the weekend, with Evans taking top honours. Evans also leads
the WRC standings, so he will be coming into the country with momentum,"
he added.
At Rally Sweden, Evans
clocked 2:33:39.2 to seal victory, edging out Katsuta (2:33:43.0).
Hyundai’s Thierry
Neuville rounded off the podium in 2:33:51.1.
Following Sweden, Toyota
dominates the WRC standings, with Evans leading at 61 points, followed by
Sebastien Ogier (33 points) and Rovanpera (31 points).
Katsuta sits sixth with
25 points.
Gacheru reiterated that
the Safari Rally remains a magnet for the world’s best drivers and top teams.
"The Safari Rally
is the best Rally in the World. It attracts all the top teams and we wish
Toyota the best of luck," Gacheru added.
CFAO Mobility Kenya has
committed Sh63 million to this year’s Safari Rally, of which Sh33 million will
go into the Safari Rally Secretariat.
"As an official transport partner for this year's Rally, we will be allocating Sh63 million towards all activities entailing the Safari Rally and a direct sponsorship of Sh 33 million to the Safari Rally secretariat," CFAO managing director Arvinder Reel said.
The sponsorship includes
a Toyota GR pickup to serve as the route opener, alongside training for 10
rally drivers to enhance their road safety and defensive driving skills.
"The sponsorship
includes the provision of one Toyota GR Hilux Pick-up that will be used as a
double zero “00” route opener, additionally, we will also provide a Hilux Mild
Hybrid Pick-up that will be used as the zero “0” car, on selected stages, which
is aligned to Toyota’s carbon neutrality agenda."
"Further we will
have training for 10 Safari Rally drivers to enhance their road safety and defensive
driving capabilities during the Safari Rally," he added.
Arvinder reiterated the
company's commitment to making the Safari Rally a success.
"This marks the
fifth consecutive year CFAO Mobility has supported the Safari Rally and we are
honoured to continue this partnership," Reel added.
Sports Cabinet Secretary
Mvurya urged Kenyans to brace for a thrilling motorsport spectacle.
"Kenyans should
prepare for an electrifying Safari Rally this March. We also thank CFAO for
their unwavering support in making this event a success," he remarked.
