The budget for the WRC Safari Rally and car rides has been revealed just as many prepare for the eagerly awaited race that commenced today after being flagged off yesterday at the KICC in Nairobi Kenya.
World Rally Championship (WRC) cars were spotted being transported under tight police escort from the service park at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute in Naivasha on Wednesday to Nairobi ahead of the ceremonial start of the 2024 WRC Safari Rally on Thursday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre that was presided by the Kenyan President William Ruto alongside CS Ababu Namwamba.
There are a total of nine WRC Rally1 cars competing at this year’s Safari Rally, namely:
Three Toyota GR Yaris Hybrids, three Hyundai i20s, and three Ford Pumas.
The Rally 1 car is priced at upwards of 1.5 million euros (Sh215 million); the total value of the 45 or so cars competing in the Rally 1, Rally 2, Rally 3, and National classes at this year’s WRC Safari Rally is over Sh4 billion.
According to the schedule released by FIA, Friday’s first full leg which was today consisted of three stages, with Kedong, SS4/SS7, featuring a new section in the Miti Mbili area and running in a reverse direction compared to 2023.
The second day which is tomorrow on a Saturday, action revolves around Lake Elmenteita north of Naivasha, with three repeated stages including Sleeping Warrior, now extended to 36.08 kilometers, the longest of the rally.
Lastly, Sunday’s decisive leg begins with Malewa, reduced from 9.00 kilometers to 8.33, followed by the Oserengoni stage, titled Oserian last season, situated in the wildlife conservancy estate of the same name. The 10.53-kilometer Hell’s Gate tests host the Wolf Power Stage from 14:15.
The journey culminates at the Hells Gate National Park, where the closing ceremony will be held and winners announced.