FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Present:
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT – Kalle Rovanperä (FIN), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid
Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT – Esapekka Lappi (FIN), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid
M-Sport Ford WRT – Pierre-Louis Loubet (FRA), Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid

Q: 
Kalle, let’s start with you, last year’s Safari Rally Kenya winner and you are the championship leader coming into it this year. Give us a feel for what it is like this time around and from what you have seen on the recce? It seems to be smoother on Friday rougher on Saturday, do you agree?
KR: 
I think that sums it up pretty well. I think overall this year we will have a bit rougher conditions. I think there has been a lot of rain on the stages and in this area before we came here and a lot of the sand and gravel has been washed away, so we definitely have more rocks on the stages.

Q: 
You had a very successful year last year but can you sum up what you need to do here to win the rally, given there are such a combination of factors?
KR: 
Yeah definitely, you need to do so many things. You need to be lucky in some situations and in some situations you earn the luck by being clever, so you never know what is going to happen and also you can do everything correct from your side and something can happen. You never know.

Q: 
We have just come from Sardinia and a lot of you made comparisons to Safari when you were there… is this rally the biggest challenge of the year, or are there bigger challenges on the WRC calendar?
KR:
It always depends what is a challenge and what is not. Definitely if we talk about getting to the finish without issues then this is the biggest one I think. It is a different challenge, you don’t need to be flat out at every single corner like in some races. It is a different kind of challenge.       

Q: 
Being first on the road here – how tough is that going to be?
KR: 
It is always a bit tough but let’s see how this rain is going to affect it. I think the rain so far has made the ground a bit more compact, so it shouldn’t be so bad but of course there will be sections where there will be lots of cleaning. It is never good to be the first car when it is dry conditions. You will suffer with that.

Q: 
You have already had a few excursions in Kenya you were racing against one of the fastest men on earth [Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omurwa Omanyala]?
KR: 
It was really cool. He is the fastest man in Africa at the moment, it was cool. I also had a few days rest in Kenya, it is beautiful here with all the scenery and the wild animals, it is nice to be back. 

Q: 
Let’s talk to two Safari newbies, I will start with Esapekka as he has had some drama this morning in shakedown. Not the start you wanted tell us exactly what happened out there?
EL: 
We stopped two times.

Q: 
To have a look at the scenery right?
EL: 
It was so beautiful I wanted to spend more time looking at it. But I think I have had enough now. 

Q: 
So what was the problem?
EL: 
The first time we had a broken prop shaft and then the second, the car is still on its way here and the team will inspect, but I had some bad mechanical noise so I stopped. 

Q: 
It is your first time here competing, you have seen the footage and heard the stories, how does it compare so far? What has the experience been like?
EL: 
I guess it is more beautiful than what my expectation was. I guess the rain has made a difference to the colour of the nature: it’s really green and the scenery is amazing, and this together with the wildlife as well. It is a very exotic and unique experience for me. For the stages, you get a good picture from the videos, really. The biggest challenge for me is in the open areas. There is long grass and you cannot really recognise the road. You should do the pacenote, check the pacenote, check the corner angle and the cut at the same time which is impossible. Then you have some cuts that are not so clear where to go, there is many options. Like Kalle said it is a different kind of challenge and especially when you are here for the first time. 

Q: 
In the open areas trying to find the reference points, how did you find that?
EL: 
On the long straights, there is a straight that is 1.6km and to find the braking point to a 90 junction can be tricky.

Q: 
Hopefully everything is going to fixed with the ca ahead of getting underway tomorrow, do you feel there is key stage in terms of difficult?
EL: 
I don’t know. I know that stage three and the Power Stage are the most enjoyable ones because you can go flat out and enjoy the driving style like in Finland.

Q: 
And to you Pierre-Louis Loubet it is your first time here, what has the experience been like so far?
PLL:
In terms of landscape and travelling it was nice and with regards to the roads it looks very demanding. It is something very special here and very different to the rest of the championship. It is difficult but it is a proper rally also. 

Q: 
It is a tough recce coming here making the notes for the first time, has it been hard work over the past few days?
PLL: 
For sure there has been a lot of work on the videos to see the cuts and we have taken a lot of time with the video this time, much more than we do usually. When you come here for the first time it is a big job. 

Q: 
So many people are saying that it is the clever driver who will do well this weekend as sheer pace alone won’t win this rally. What is your strategy?
PLL: 
I don’t know. I was clever this morning [in shakedown] but I was two seconds per kilometre slower. Maybe it will be something in the middle of clever and flat out. 

Q: 
You also had a few excursions last weekend meeting Eluid Kipchoge (world record holder for the marathon) and I believe you have a running connection in your family?
PLL:
My cousin is more than big fan of Eluid and he is her idol so she was bit upset to not be here and jealous. I will bring her the shoes back [he gave us].

Q: 
And this morning you had a special guys alongside you in the co-driver seat - Kenya president William Ruto.
PLL: 
It's not bad, my week here is going well. It was a very nice moment and it was not stressful at the beginning but when the security guard came to see me he told me I had to drive at 50kph. I said maybe he would not want to do that so I drove fast out so I felt a bit of responsibility.

Q: 
Did he sound comfortable was there any screaming?
PLL: 
Not so comfortable I would say. 

Questions from the floor:

Elias Makori, Nation Media Group and Safari Rally National Press Officer (KEN)

Q 
Just to follow that up, Pierre-Louis you know you had the whole nation in your hands did you feel any pressure?
PLL: 
When the security told me to not go fast and went fast I knew I had the biggest responsibility. It was a bit stressful but it was fine. 

Q: 
Kalle, do you prefer a wet or dry Safari?
KR: 
That depends a bit on what we want to do and where we are. But last year in the wet I did well like usually in the wet so I wouldn’t mind if we have some rain at somepoint especially when opening the road. If it is not too much then it is not bad but if it is full safari spec rain then it is not fun either.

Daniel Wahome, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KEN)

Q: 
A question for team Hyundai, you have gone five rallies without a win then there was a great show at Rally Sardinia, what boost has there been for the team after that performance in Italy?
EL: 
For sure, it was very important for everyone in our team that we got this result in Sardinia. It was a boost for everyone and every team member and good reward for what they have done and experience this year. I look at the times in shakedown it didn’t look like our car is on the top pace here, so it is different story here so it seems. We cannot rely too much on Sardinia. We need to really concentrate on how to do better again tomorrow.  

FIA WRC2 CHAMPIONSHIP

Present:
Karan Patel (KEN), Ford Fiesta Rally2
Carl Tundo (KEN), Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo

Q: 
Carl, let’s start with you, you are a multiple Safari Rally winner and you are also chairman of the organising committee here. Good to be back?
CT: 
I’m really excited to be back and this is also my 21st Safari, and being part of the organizing committee, I have a lot of grey hair. I got in the car the first time on shakedown, I hadn’t even seen it before but my plan is to just have a lot of fun. 

Q: 
A 21st Safari is impressive and a change of cars as you mentioned, it’s a Skoda, why have changed for this year?
CT: 
It was a last minute thing and it was the only car available at the time when the sponsors came on board and we decided to give it shot. So beggars can’t be choosers! I’m very happy with the Skoda. I have just driven it and it is very much like the Polo I have previously driven, but it is bit more go-kart-like. It will be fun.

Q: 
We are hearing from our P1 drivers that it is bit rougher than last year, you have done this multiple times, what is your opinion?
CT: 
It is a lot smoother on the Friday and with all the rain we have been having it has compacted the road and I suppose it is a lot smoother. But Soysambu and Elementeita and Sleeping Warrior the leaderboard will change multiple times I’m assuming and I have been looking at the weather because I am a farmer and never believe what farmer says but if it pours on Saturday it is going to be humour.

Q: 
And is that what it is saying right now?
CT: 
That is what I’m praying for. It adds a different dynamic to the whole event as last year it was quite dry, we had a bit of rain and we had a bit of fesh fesh, and this year I think there will be a lot less. But if it is wet it will add a whole different ball game to the rally. 

Q: 
What are your hopes for this weekend given it is the big 21 Safari Rally?
CT: 
To beat this kid [Karan], he smiles. Safari Rally is all about brains I would say. Yes you need the pace but I’m not going to suggest that I can keep up with these young guys, maybe a little bit of brains will help out, especially if the weather has its ways, it might suit me a little bit more. I’m looking to get in the top 10.  

Q: 
Karan, first of all congratulations on your season last year, it was mightily impressive to see so many wins on the board in the Kenyan Championship, you are the champion from 2022. Home event what are you hoping for and as Carl said it is going to be a tough one out there? 
KP: 
Thanks. Last year was good for us and hopefully we can continue the winning streak regionally. Going into the event hopefully we are are looking for a top five finish in WRC2 if not top three, this is the aim. But as Carl says it not all about pace, brains and some consistent driving will be required, so it is a different strategy, but we can’t be too slow and risks will have to be taken. 

Q: 
Everyone is saying it is got to be clever drive given the conditions but we all know as soon as you guys put on the helmet something else happens, maybe the brains go out the window a bit, it is a tough one?
KP: 
From experience I’m always telling myself to take it easy but when you put the helmet on it is nothing like that and you give it everything you have got. Nothing is guaranteed at the moment, the weather might change, the farmer next door [Carl] is going to be very good in the rain so I have a lot to learn from him. We hope for the best and looking forward to a strong finish.

Q: 
You already have a win at the Equator Rally this year, what is your confidence like coming into the event?
KP: 
It is a good level of confidence but then again the level of competition from WRC is much more superior than what we are used to in our local and regional events, so I’m not using that as a confidence boost per se, but we will have a very clever drive and try to maintain a very good pace. I have the added advantage of this being home ground, the stages are familiar to me more than my competitors for now so we will use that to our advantage. 

Q:
What would be the key stage in term of difficulty level for the rally if you had to pick one?
KP:
I would say Sleeping Warrior is a very tricky stage especially the last bit of it , the last few kilometres over bedrock featuring very sharp rocks. It is not particularly one of my favourites but we all have to go through it. I think that will be one and then Kedong if it does rain, that will be another key stage, it is a long stage. A nice consistent run through that if it is full of water will be the ideal situation.
CT: 
The same, Sleeping Warrior. There are a lot of hidden rocks and somehow the rocks seem to walk onto the road on their now in that area., You can do recce and then you come to the stage the next day and they have walked back onto the road. I’d say Sleeping Warrior or Elementeita.

FIA WRC3 CHAMPIONSHIP

Present:
Hamza Anwar (KEN), Ford Fiesta Rally3
Jeremiah Wahome (KEN), Ford Fiesta Rally3
McRae Kimathi (KEN), Ford Fiesta Rally3

Q: 
A question for all of you, you are part of the Rally Stars programme, how important is it to be representing Kenya?
HA: 
It means everything, especially from where we come from with all of our backgrounds. It is a lot to take in. We are appreciative of all of our sponsors and the backing from our government. This is amazing. This is the new generation and we are ready to rock and roll. 

Q: 
And Jeremiah how important is it?
JW: 
It is a huge privilege because we get to be part of Kenya team representing our country, so for myself I wasn’t in rallying before, the programme has really helped me. This support shows how much investment and commitment there is for young talent. We are super grateful and hopefully we can reward that with a good result. 

Q: 
McRae what about you?
MK: 
It is so good to be back and good to be back racing at home and racing in front of my fans and my family. Representing Kenya once again is a pleasure and an honour and hopefully we can give them a good result.

Q: 
Let’s talk about the weather, it is raining, is there a lot of rain forecast for this weekend or not?
MK: 
I am really praying for the rain. And I have to thank the rally gods for this rain! Hopefully we can have a wet Safari. The past few years have been maybe a little bit boring but this time for sure it will be interesting.

Q: 
We saw you as part of the Junior World Championship last year, how much did that experience help you. What did you learn?
MK: 
Doing the JWRC last year was a phenomenal experience for me and it taught me a lot. It has raised my standard of driving technically but then also I have met new people, enjoyed myself and travelled around the world and hopefully I can have a very good Safari Rally. 

Q: 
You sound confident is your confidence high?
MK: 
This is home turf so I’m confident. We had a good shakedown so hopefully we can do well.
Q: Hamza, you are in the JWRC this year and doing rallies in Kenya as well, it is a busy programme. Is seat time important?
HA: 
The seat time is very important especially for drivers who have limited resource. Seat time is everything so the more seat time the better. We haven’t had much testing before the event but we are looking forward to this and hopefully with the rain it will bring balance between the international driver and the local drivers in terms of closing the gap. We are looking forward to the rain and it is my favourite condition because my fastest stage time in Sardinia in the wet I was third fastest. And last year in Sleeping Warrior I set the fastest stage time in the Rally3 car. I’m looking forward to it.

Q: 
We have talked about key stages here what is the most difficult?
HA: 
Every single stage has it own characteristics but we have to pay our respect to the Sleeping Warrior, he can take you out any time he wants. Soysambu and Loldia can be very tricky in the wet. We look forward to it.

Q: 
Jeremiah, how important is it for you guys to see the WRC year in year out?
JW: 
I think it really helps boost the sport and once again it brings the spotlight to Kenya but again that is half of the job. The other of the job is to make sure everything on our end is good enough and deserving to come again. Hopefully we are keeping up our end of the bargain for us and everybody else here I hope everyone enjoys it. Hopefully we can keep it going for a long time. 

Q: 
Have you got a smile on your face because of the rain as well?
JW: 
I have not had very good results in the rain last year but as Hamza said it brings together the field and anything can happen. So hopefully what helps us is not our rain skills but having calm mindset and waiting for the rally to come to us. I hope it does [rain]. Mcrae did JWRc last year and Hamza is doing I this year so I should add hopefully I will be doing it next year. 

Q: 
Is there a possibility of doing JWRC next year? 
JW: 
Hopefully if we do well enough. Let’s see after the rally. 

Q: 
All the drivers have said it is a clever driver that wins the rally but we all know what happens when you put helmet on, the brains depart… what is the strategy, Hamza?
HA: 
The strategy is to eliminate the two [points to McRae and Jeremiah]. No we have a very positive relationship between all of us, we push each other and we back each other. Of course with strategy you have that moment when the helmet comes on and you have a different mode but when it rains and the conditions get tough as a driver we are used to knowing that we have to be careful. There is story behind every stage. We have got to take it as it comes. The notes that we make are very handy but at the same time for recce we are always making little adjustments in case it does rain. Anything can change on the safari. 

Q:
Maybe the WRC guys should be coming to you guys for advice as you know it so well?
HA: 
Perhaps. 

Q: 
McRae what about your strategy for the weekend?
MK: 
I think it is very long rally and we should always remember that and with the rain it adds a little twist. As we all now you can be hero with 10 points or a villain with none. If you push you can make a lot of time here in the rain and if you are confident enough to do it then you will be in a good position. But in hindsight you can be the villain as you can crash out. We just have to judge the pace and know when to push and when not to push. 

Q: 
Jeremiah, talk to us about the passion for rallying in Kenya. How passionate are the fans here?
JW: 
When you are in the car you sometimes don’t feel the atmosphere at the side of the roads but you always see the numbers and the traffic which is an indicator of how many people are travelling down and taking days off work. For us hopefully that adds a bit of extra horsepower but even in the lead up the amount of people that talk about it is big. Rallying is big in Kenya. I’m quite new to this space but I am undertaking the magnitude of how important it is to us. There is athletics, there is rugby, football and volleyball and hopefully that can now join the conversation. 

Questions from the floor:

Elias Makori, Nation Media Group and Safari Rally National Press Officer (KEN)

Q: 
The Kenya president has been attending the rally and going for a ride in a car do you feel pressure when your head of sated is following so closely.
JW: 
I was actually wondering why he [the president] didn’t go with a Kenyan driver but seeing the M-Sport car with the Kenya flag on it and it was an M-Sport driver I thought it should be a Kenyan. I hope this is good luck charm having my president going to the stages and again it shows how much commitment there is for this sport and for us Kenyan drivers it is like having our champion go in before us to usher us in.
HA: 
It was nice. As soon as I finished my shakedown I got to have a word with the president and it was great to see him there as he has just come into power. He is already very interested in our programme and hopefully this can help Kenyans on the world stage and make us dominant one day.
MK: 
I think it is remarkable for the sport and our country that our leader understands what we do. He is able to see first hand what it is all about and how much passion there is in Kenya for the sport. Hoefpully with the government’s commitment we can continue and grow this sport to higher levels. It was fantastic.

Daniel Wahome, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KEN)

Q: A question for Hamza, two different Rally3 cars in two different rallies, how do you feel the difference in handling and the way it changes how you drive?
HA: 
Certainly there is a big difference, this is the third year we are driving the Rally3 cars since they landed on our soil. The new Evo Rally3 is quite improved, it has better suspension travel and, of course, travel is everything in the Safari so it would be nice to eventually convert our cars to that standard. With the aero there is a big difference but we are content with what we have.