BY HENRY MBAZIIRA– NAIVASHA, KENYA
Wet, slippery and rocky stages have left crews on edge ahead of the 2026 WRC Safari Rally, which gets under way on Thursday.
Drivers spent Tuesday and Wednesday doing route reconnaissance of the world’s renowned toughest gravel rally.
The third round of the World Rally Championship has attracted 40 crews globally, with defending manufacturers’ champions Toyota fielding five cars.
Toyota’s lineup includes nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, championship leader Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari.
M-Sport has entered Jon Armstrong and Joshua McErlean, while Hyundai’s challenge will be led by Adrien Fourmaux, Thierry Neuville and Esapekka Lappi.
Toyota has enjoyed a sweet run at the Safari Rally, scoring podium finishes since the event’s return to the world championship calendar in 2022.
Among those hoping to rub shoulders with the world’s crème de la crème are four Ugandan crews, including African champion and Moil-sponsored duo Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba.
