We’re into the heart of the traditional Safari route on Saturday, heading north of Naivasha and into the Great Rift Valley and the Delamere Estate.
These roads have been the backbone of this event since the start and it’s fantastic that the organizers have managed to include some real classics.
SS8/11 Elmenteita (9.11 miles)
This was the fastest stage on the candidate rally back in 2019 and should be quick again this time around. Will be hard on the tires with much of the stage made up of a volcanic lava surface.
It’s a stage with great history – but not one that Tommi Mäkinen will remember with any fondness, having suffered six punctures on his Mitsubishi in the 1997 event.
The first section of the stage takes the crews around Lake Elmentaita and it will be hard to focus on the rally cars – even when they fly over a big jump in this section – with thousands of flamingos relaxing in the water behind.
If you prefer your wildlife more grounded, this is also the stage for you, with 600 Rothschild giraffes here – that’s around 10 per cent of the total global population of this species.
SS9/12 Soysambu (12.63 miles)
The road section between Elmentaita and Soysambu is only a mile, but a regroup has been installed to hold the crews for 34 minutes to ensure all the World Rally Cars come through the day’s opener before heading into Saturday’s live TV stage. Soysambu is stunning, with a couple of lovely river crossings in the heart of some really dense vegetation. Look out for a steep entry and exit from the rivers – there will be a mud truck on hand to assist cars struggling to get out under their own steam. One of the twistier stages on the route, with the last three miles of road having been constructed just for the rally.
SS10/13 Sleeping Warrior (19.28 miles)
Let’s answer the obvious question first: it’s because the hills surrounding the stage look like a Masai warrior lying down. Word is, if that warrior wakes up, the end of the world is nigh. Let’s hope he remains in a state of slumber – at least past Saturday afternoon.
The rally’s longest test and a stage which has the potential to provide a real sting in the tail for the two Saturday loops.
Much of this one is in keeping with the rest of the loop, but towards the end this stage moves onto a really abrasive volcanic rock-type surface which could hurt the tires. Look out for some fairly big holes (especially if they’re obscured) on some of the long straights.
