Rally enthusiasts are expected to converge in Naivasha for the WRC Safari Rally.
Here are things to know in no order courtesy of the WRC website
1. President Uhuru Kenyatta flags off the drivers on Thursday, June 23, 2022 in Nairobi
2. Drivers will go through 19 gruelling special stages around Lakes Naivasha and Elmenteita
3. Drivers will be covering 363.44km
4. The four-day race concludes on Sunday in Naivasha
5. Speeds of vehicles will top 200kph, so be careful if you are watching on the sidelines
6. Full coverage from Safari Rally Kenya will be available on WRC+ All Live
7. Home hero Mcrae Kimathi is one to watch out for in the WRC3 category. He made his FIA World Rally Championship debut at the Naivasha-based event in 2021. He is 27.
8. There are three more Kenyan drivers; 2021 class winner Jeremy Wahome. Wahome’s sister, Maxine, and rising star Hamza Anwar.
9. The drivers have been warned about the Naivasha weather with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast from Thursday afternoon onwards.
10. Almost a third of the stage distance is new for this year’s fixture.
11. Friday’s opening leg spans the north and south sides of Lake Naivasha.
12. It starts with Loldia (19.17km), followed by Geothermal (11.68km) - a brand-new stage which climbs over craggy rock-lined hills.
13. Kedong (31.25km) is the longest stage of the rally. It rounds out the loop before all three are repeated after service, bringing the day’s total to 124.20km.
14. Roads further north around Lake Elmenteita host Saturday’s monster 150.88km route, the longest leg of the weekend.
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