WRC Safari Rally Kenya
- Course: Starts in Kasarani, Nairobi, and finishes in Hell’s Gate National Park, Naivasha, Kenya
- Date: June 22-25
- Stages: 19
- Distance: 221.82 miles (356.98 kilometers)
- 2023 WINNER: Sébastier Ogier
2023 Safari Rally Kenya Odds
The WRC Safari Rally Kenya, one of the founding events of the World Rally Championship, holds a special place in the hearts of rally racing enthusiasts. As the seventh round of the 2023 WRC calendar, it serves as a pivotal moment in the WRC Championship standings.
The Safari Rally is a true test of skill and endurance for rally teams, as they navigate the challenging rocky gravel roads and battle against the unpredictable weather of Africa’s only WRC event. These unique characteristics make the 2023 Safari Rally Kenya Odds all the more intriguing, as fans and pundits analyze the potential outcomes of this thrilling competition.
Despite being part of the inaugural WRC season in 1973, the Safari Rally made its debut decades earlier, showcasing its historical significance in the world of rally racing. Today, it remains a highly-anticipated event on the calendar, attracting top rally teams from around the globe to showcase their expertise and compete for success in this legendary race.
As the fourth of eight gravel events on the calendar, the Safari Rally presents a distinct set of challenges for drivers and their teams. The demanding terrain, coupled with the ever-changing weather conditions, demands precision, adaptability, and strategic decision-making from the participants.
The 2023 Safari Rally Kenya Odds offer enthusiasts a glimpse into the competitive landscape, enabling them to assess the potential contenders and predict the outcome of this prestigious event. It’s a thrilling time for rally racing enthusiasts as they eagerly await the adrenaline-fueled action and witness the rally teams pushing their limits on the Kenyan stages.
With its rich history, challenging terrain, and its place in the WRC Championship, the Safari Rally Kenya captivates fans worldwide. The rally serves as a true celebration of rally racing excellence, showcasing the skills, determination, and spirit of the drivers and their teams. It’s an event that captures the essence of the sport and continues to leave a lasting impression on both participants and spectators alike.
| Driver | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Sébastier Ogier | Toyota Gazoo Racing | +220 |
| Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota Gazoo Racing | +260 |
| Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +275 |
| Esapekka Lappi | Hyundai | +800 |
| Ott Tänak | M-Sport Ford | +800 |
World Rally Championship at Kenya
The Kenya Rally, also known as the Safari Rally, is a prestigious dirt rally event held in Kenya. It has a rich history dating back to 1953 and has been a part of various rallying championships over the years, including the WRC standings. The rally is renowned for its challenging and diverse terrains, including rough tracks, muddy paths, and fast sections, making it a true test of skill, endurance, and teamwork for rally racers and their teams.
Rallying through the Kenyan wilderness is a thrilling adventure that demands precision and courage from rally drivers. The unpredictable nature of the dirt rally course adds an extra level of excitement and intensity to the competition. From negotiating treacherous turns to conquering rough off-road sections, racers must showcase their expertise in handling powerful vehicles and making split-second decisions to maintain their speed and momentum.
The Kenya Rally not only showcases the driving skills of racers but also highlights the resilience and determination of their support teams. Behind the scenes, mechanics, engineers, and navigators work tirelessly to ensure that the rally cars are in peak condition and that the drivers receive accurate guidance throughout the course. The teamwork and coordination between the drivers and their crew are essential for success in this challenging event.
Beyond the thrill of the race, the Kenya Rally offers a unique opportunity to explore Kenya’s natural wonders. Spectators can witness the breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant culture that make Kenya a truly remarkable destination. From the roar of engines echoing through the plains to the dust kicked up by rally cars as they speed through the rugged terrain, the rally creates an atmosphere of excitement and energy that captivates everyone involved.
The Kenya Rally has earned its place as a prominent event on the rallying calendar, attracting both local and international participants and fans. Its combination of thrilling dirt rally action, stunning scenery, and cultural experiences make it a standout event that showcases the best of what Kenya has to offer. Whether you are a dedicated rally enthusiast or an adventurous traveler seeking a unique experience, the Kenya Rally promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of rallying excellence. Don’t miss out on the 2023 Safari Rally Kenya Odds as you witness the race of a lifetime!
WRC Schedule
WRC Safari Rally Kenya:
- SS1 – Kasarani
WRC Safari Rally Kenya:
- SS 2 – Loldia 1
- SS 3 – Geothermal 1
- SS 4 – Kedong 1
- SS 5 – Loldia 2
- SS 6 – Geothermal 2
- SS 7 – Kedong 2
WRC Safari Rally Kenya:
- SS 8 – Soysambu 1
- SS 9 – Elementaita 1
- SS 10 – Sleeping Warrior 1
- SS 11 – Soysambu 2
- SS 12 – Elementaita 2
- SS 13 – Sleeping Warrior 2
WRC Safari Rally Kenya:
- SS 14 – Malewa 1
- SS 15 – Oserian 1
- SS 16 – Hell’s Gate 1
- SS 17 – Malewa 2
- SS 18 – Oserian 2
- SS 19 – Hell’s Gate 2
| POSITION | DRIVER | TEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota Gazoo Racing |
| 2 | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota Gazoo Racing |
| 3 | Elfyn Evans | Toyota Gazoo Racing |
| 4 | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota Gazoo Racing |
| 5 | Dani Sordo | Hyundai Shell Mobis |
Current WRC Standings - 2023 Season
| POSITION | DRIVER | TEAM | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 118 |
| 2 | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai Shell Mobis | 93 |
| 3 | Ott Tänak | M-Sport Ford | 85 |
| 4 | Elfyn Evans | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 83 |
| 5 | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 70 |
| 6 | Esapekka Lappi | Hyundai Shell Mobis | 67 |
| 7 | Dani Sordo | Hyundai Shell Mobis | 36 |
| 8 | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 23 |
| 9 | Craig Breen | Hyundai Shell Mobis | 19 |
| 10 | Gus Greensmith | Škoda Motorsports | 16 |
| 11 | Oliver Solberg | Škoda Motorsports | 15 |
| 12 | Andreas Mikkelsen | Škoda Motorsports | 14 |
| 13 | Pierre Louis Loubet | M-Sport Ford | 14 |
| 14 | Yohan Rossel | Citroën | 12 |
| 15 | Teemu Suninen | Hyundai Shell Mobis | 9 |
🏁 Safari Rally Kenya History & Highlights
Safari Rally Kenya started in May 1953 as the “East African Coronation Safari” in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Alan Dix and co-driver Johnny Larsen won that first rally in a Volkswagen Beetle. DP Marwaha and Vic Preston Sr. won in 1954 and 1955 in a Volkswagen Beetle and Ford Zephyr, respectively. The 1958 event included three classes: Impala, Lion, and Leopard classes. That marked the only time multiple classes were included in the event.
The event kept the East African Coronation Safari Rally title until 1960 when it was renamed the East African Safari Rally. By this time, the rally had garnered a reputation as one of the toughest rallies in the world but with that came popularity among factory teams. In 1963 and 1968, the seven drivers and co-drivers who managed to finish those races were nicknamed the “Unsinkable Seven” for making it through notoriously difficult events covering more than 3,000 miles.
A non-Kenyan driver won the event for the first time in 1966 when Tanzanian driver Bert Shankland and co-driver Chris Rothwell won in a Peugeot 404. They’d win the event again in 1967. A non-African driver won the event for the first time in 1972 when Finnish driver Hannu Mikkola and co-driver Gunnar Palm won in a Ford Escort RS1600. The year after, it was included in the World Rally Championship as the fourth round of the inaugural season. In 1975, the event title was shortened to the Safari Rally.
Though teams and drivers from multiple continents came to Kenya for the Safari Rally, homegrown drivers dominated the first decade of WRC competition. Kenyan Shekhar Mehta and co-driver Lofty Drews won the first WRC Safari Rally in 1973. Fellow Kenyan Joginder Singh and co-driver David Doig won the event in 1974. Singh would win again in 1976 and Mehta won every race from 1979-1982. Looking ahead to the Safari Rally at Kenya, fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling competition and eagerly await the release of the 2023 Safari Rally Kenya odds.
The few exceptions to this run of dominance were Swedes Ove Andersson and Björn Waldegård winning in 1975 and 1977, respectively, and Frenchman Jean-Pierre Nicolas winning in 1978.
After winning seven of the first 10 WRC Safari Rally events, Kenyan drivers would notch just one more WRC victory: Ian Duncan in 1994. Waldegård became one of the most successful drivers in the event, winning in 1984, 1986, and 1990.
Until the 1990s, the event was on open roads. Due to the terrain and long stages, winners were often those who balanced speed with caution. Teams would use helicopters to fly ahead of their cars to warn animals or vehicles along the route of their drivers coming. Technology like tire mousse, which helps tires function after a puncture, later allowed drivers to drive thousands of miles flat out.
After a year away in 1995, the rally returned in 1996 with an official special stage format. Despite being limited to 15-20 stages, the total distance remained an outlier on the WRC schedule, routinely going well over 650 miles (1,046 kilometers).
British drivers dominated in this format, with champions Colin McRae and Richard Burns winning all but two Safari Rally events from 1996 to 2002. WRC organizers dropped the event starting in 2003 due to a lack of finance and organization.
In September 2019, WRC organizers announced the Safari Rally would return in 2020. That event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned to the calendar in 2021. In its return, organizers reduced the distance to fall more in line with other events.
Circuit Information
The WRC Safari Rally Kenya is an exhilarating 19-stage rally held over four days in the scenic lakeside city of Naivasha. This challenging event pushes both drivers and cars to their limits, with tricky gravel tracks and unpredictable weather conditions. Each stage demands precision, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the ever-changing course.
As the defending race winner, Kalle Rovanperä, the 2022 WRC champion, carries the weight of expectations as he returns to showcase his skill on these demanding terrains. The rally captures the attention of motorsport enthusiasts worldwide, who eagerly anticipate the heart-pounding action and witness the courageous displays of driving mastery. With the 2023 rally edition just around the corner, fans are eagerly checking the 2023 Safari Rally Kenya odds to gauge the potential winners and to add excitement to the racing experience.
