Speed, fun and drink as Safari Rally action takes over 'Vasha'

A preview of what the weekend is likely to be was witnessed on Wednesday at the shakedown in Loldia Ranch, at Ndulele Conservancy, where fans thronged the venue as early as 8am for a glimpse of the battling machines.

The spectators witnessed a tantalising preview of the adrenaline-filled rally action as drivers tackled the challenging 5.4km shakedown, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling weekend of motorsport.

Fans from near and far expressed their excitement ahead of the competition.

Seth Nyabere, a Kenyan residing in Australia, travelled specifically for the rally. He said: "I came with some of my friends whom I invited to come home and witness this annual event. The experience so far has been fantastic. With the rain starting, the weather looks promising, and I'm here to support my favourite team. I'm excited to see what the rest of the weekend has in store."

Isaac Keith, president of the Uganda Fans Association, shared his enthusiasm, saying: "We are here for the WRC Safari Rally for the fourth year running, and each year brings a new experience. Spectator numbers continue to grow, and the atmosphere is electric. We're proud to support motorsport, and I'm personally cheering for Team Toyota and the Kenyan drivers."

Sebastien Loeb from France navigated by Isabelle Galmiche driving Puma cruises through Kasarani Special spectators stage during WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2022 in Nairobi on Thursday 28, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

The Service Park pavilion has a VIP lounge where top government officials attending the rally, are welcomed and hosted.

Additionally, security is tight at the venue and areas around Naivasha town. This is to provide safety to participants and fans.

The rally has an amazing production crew, working on land and air to ensure their live coverage reaches over 500 million viewers across the globe.

Local scribes are also not left out as they have an amazing state-of-the-art media centre to relay their information.

For sustainability, environmental-conscious groups are also working round the clock to ensure the rally routes and locations involved are well preserved and devoid of any litter.

As the WRC Safari Rally officially revved off into action at the KICC on Thursday, fans around the world should expect a spectacle of high-speed racing amid Kenya's stunning landscapes. With the enthusiasm of both drivers and spectators alike, we can confidently say the stage is set for a weekend of unforgettable motorsport action.