Bujibuji Simba Nyamaume
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 4, 2009
- 74,871
- 155,837
After almost 20 years, Safari Rally Kenya returns to the World Rally Championship this weekend and the roads north of Nairobi are primed, ready, waiting and completely alien to today's rallying elite.
For nearly two decades the World Rally Championship crown has been missing a gem, but this week, it's back. Welcome home, Safari Rally Kenya.The last time this rally was on of the WRC calendar was 2002. That year Apple released a second generation iPod with 20GB for people to fill with Justin Timberlake. Or Britney. Or both. And Colin McRae won the Safari Rally in a Ford Focus RS WRC.
19 years on and the iPod, as well as the world, has changed. Safari Rally Kenya has changed considerably. Gone are the days of racing on open roads, when dodging oncoming traffic was as much part of the event as the giraffes and elephants. This week's sixth round of the World Rally Championship is entirely familiar in format to the five events proceeding it this year.
The 320km route is 800 shorter than the itinerary mastered by McRae in 2002, but the roads are still the same roads. Names like Elmenteita, Chui Lodge and Kedong still stir the same emotions.