Rally Round 6 – Safari Rally Kenya
Hyundai Motorsport travels to the sixth round of the 2022 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), Safari Rally Kenya, with renewed confidence and a positive mindset following a dominant victory in Sardinia.
Foto:Hyundai motorsport
The Alzenau-based team will be aiming to build on its first win with the new Hyundai i20 N Rally1 in one of the season’s most gruelling gravel events next weekend (June 22-26). The trio of crews competing on the rough and rugged safari terrain will revert to the line-up that contested the first three rallies of the season: Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe, Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja and Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson.
The Belgian duo of Neuville and Wydaeghe led much of the 2021 edition of Safari Rally Kenya before being forced to retire on the final day of running. Tänak and Järveoja also performed well at the event, claiming third place overall, and will be looking for a second consecutive win after their impressive performance in Sardinia.
Although next weekend will be Solberg and Edmondson’s first outing at Kenya in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, the young Swede did rack up some competitive WRC kilometres on the stages last year. All three crews will be hoping to learn from their previous experience of the Safari Rally to deliver another strong team result, which will be another crucial step in the championship fight.
Foto:Hyundai motorsport
The iconic Safari Rally Kenya made its long-awaited return to the calendar in 2021, 19 years after the last WRC event in Africa. Set amongst stunning scenery, the rugged roads of Naivasha are punishing, with multiple crews running into issues on the rocky terrain last season. Consequently, the focus for this year’s competitors in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 will be to not only show solid pace across the four days, but to stay out of trouble.
The itinerary for Safari Rally Kenya consists of 19 stages across four days, totalling 363.44km in distance. Of all rallies with confirmed itineraries, it the longest event on the 2022 WRC calendar.
Deputy Team Principal Julien Moncet said: “The victory and double podium in Sardinia was an excellent result for us and one that I felt the whole team deserved for their hard work and dedication so far this year. It also further demonstrated the pace and potential of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 on gravel. Of course, Safari Rally Kenya is a very different type of gravel event; it is one of the most treacherous rallies on the calendar. The stages are relentless and simply finishing the event is an achievement. However, we head there with confidence in our car, our crews, and our entire team. The target is to maintain the standards we have set in the last few rounds and once again fight for the win.”
Crew Notes: Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (#11 Hyundai i20 N Rally1) Belgians sit second in the standings after five rounds
Crew retired from the lead of 2021 Safari Rally Kenya
Neuville said: “Last year was my first time in Kenya and I have some good memories from it. It was a real adventure, as we got to discover the country, the culture, the beautiful scenery, and the wildlife. But unfortunately, we left feeling disappointed as we were clearly in the lead and could have easily won the rally if it had not been for a small issue. It is a rough event where you need to find a good balance between pushing hard and knowing when to take it slower. The weather can also play a big factor. But I feel comfortable on the stages and this year we are out for revenge, so that is what we are looking forward to.”
Crew Notes: Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (#8 Hyundai i20 N Rally1) Pair claimed first victory of 2022 in last round, Rally Italia Sardegna
Estonians finished third at Safari Rally Kenya in 2021
Tänak said: “Last year Safari Rally Kenya was an incredible adventure, but also quite a big challenge. We thought it to be a very demanding event and it was, with rough roads and difficult terrain such as soft sand. It was also technically challenging, and we expect it to be the same this time. As always, the first priority is to keep the car together and finish. It is possible to push there 100% but you have to be careful not to damage the car in the process. Hopefully we can build on our win in Sardinia and get another good result in Kenya.”
Crew Notes: Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson (#2 Hyundai i20 N Rally1) Duo returns to the Hyundai WRC line-up after a two-event break
Crew aiming to secure solid points haul in Kenya
Solberg said: “Kenya is going to be very exciting as it is a really special rally. It will be very demanding and tough, but I am looking forward to competing there in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1. The country and the fans there are amazing, so it is a place that you always look forward to, even if it didn’t go well in 2021. But this year there are new possibilities, and we will be going for it again. Weather had a big impact on last year’s event so we will see if that is the same next weekend, but even if doesn’t we expect it to be a real challenge. The aim is to find a good rhythm, keep the car in one piece and score a good result for the team.”
Weekend at a Glance
The Alzenau-based team will be aiming to build on its first win with the new Hyundai i20 N Rally1 in one of the season’s most gruelling gravel events next weekend (June 22-26). The trio of crews competing on the rough and rugged safari terrain will revert to the line-up that contested the first three rallies of the season: Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe, Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja and Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson.
The Belgian duo of Neuville and Wydaeghe led much of the 2021 edition of Safari Rally Kenya before being forced to retire on the final day of running. Tänak and Järveoja also performed well at the event, claiming third place overall, and will be looking for a second consecutive win after their impressive performance in Sardinia.
Although next weekend will be Solberg and Edmondson’s first outing at Kenya in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, the young Swede did rack up some competitive WRC kilometres on the stages last year. All three crews will be hoping to learn from their previous experience of the Safari Rally to deliver another strong team result, which will be another crucial step in the championship fight.
The iconic Safari Rally Kenya made its long-awaited return to the calendar in 2021, 19 years after the last WRC event in Africa. Set amongst stunning scenery, the rugged roads of Naivasha are punishing, with multiple crews running into issues on the rocky terrain last season. Consequently, the focus for this year’s competitors in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 will be to not only show solid pace across the four days, but to stay out of trouble.
The itinerary for Safari Rally Kenya consists of 19 stages across four days, totalling 363.44km in distance. Of all rallies with confirmed itineraries, it the longest event on the 2022 WRC calendar.
Deputy Team Principal Julien Moncet said: “The victory and double podium in Sardinia was an excellent result for us and one that I felt the whole team deserved for their hard work and dedication so far this year. It also further demonstrated the pace and potential of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 on gravel. Of course, Safari Rally Kenya is a very different type of gravel event; it is one of the most treacherous rallies on the calendar. The stages are relentless and simply finishing the event is an achievement. However, we head there with confidence in our car, our crews, and our entire team. The target is to maintain the standards we have set in the last few rounds and once again fight for the win.”
Crew Notes: Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (#11 Hyundai i20 N Rally1) Belgians sit second in the standings after five rounds
Crew retired from the lead of 2021 Safari Rally Kenya
Neuville said: “Last year was my first time in Kenya and I have some good memories from it. It was a real adventure, as we got to discover the country, the culture, the beautiful scenery, and the wildlife. But unfortunately, we left feeling disappointed as we were clearly in the lead and could have easily won the rally if it had not been for a small issue. It is a rough event where you need to find a good balance between pushing hard and knowing when to take it slower. The weather can also play a big factor. But I feel comfortable on the stages and this year we are out for revenge, so that is what we are looking forward to.”
Crew Notes: Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (#8 Hyundai i20 N Rally1) Pair claimed first victory of 2022 in last round, Rally Italia Sardegna
Estonians finished third at Safari Rally Kenya in 2021
Tänak said: “Last year Safari Rally Kenya was an incredible adventure, but also quite a big challenge. We thought it to be a very demanding event and it was, with rough roads and difficult terrain such as soft sand. It was also technically challenging, and we expect it to be the same this time. As always, the first priority is to keep the car together and finish. It is possible to push there 100% but you have to be careful not to damage the car in the process. Hopefully we can build on our win in Sardinia and get another good result in Kenya.”
Crew Notes: Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson (#2 Hyundai i20 N Rally1) Duo returns to the Hyundai WRC line-up after a two-event break
Crew aiming to secure solid points haul in Kenya
Solberg said: “Kenya is going to be very exciting as it is a really special rally. It will be very demanding and tough, but I am looking forward to competing there in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1. The country and the fans there are amazing, so it is a place that you always look forward to, even if it didn’t go well in 2021. But this year there are new possibilities, and we will be going for it again. Weather had a big impact on last year’s event so we will see if that is the same next weekend, but even if doesn’t we expect it to be a real challenge. The aim is to find a good rhythm, keep the car in one piece and score a good result for the team.”
Weekend at a Glance
Safari Rally Kenya begins on Thursday with the Super Special Kasarani (4.84km)
Friday’s running consists of two passes each of Loldia (19.17km), Geothermal (11.68km) and Kedong (31.25km)
Two loops of Soysambu (29.32km), Elmenteita (15.08km) and Sleeping Warrior (31.04km) on Saturday make it the longest day of the event in terms of distance, totalling 150.88km
The rally concludes on Sunday with the crews twice tackling Oserian (17.93km), Narasha (13.30km) and Hell’s Gate (10.53km).
Friday’s running consists of two passes each of Loldia (19.17km), Geothermal (11.68km) and Kedong (31.25km)
Two loops of Soysambu (29.32km), Elmenteita (15.08km) and Sleeping Warrior (31.04km) on Saturday make it the longest day of the event in terms of distance, totalling 150.88km
The rally concludes on Sunday with the crews twice tackling Oserian (17.93km), Narasha (13.30km) and Hell’s Gate (10.53km).
