Kenya's Safari Rally has a reputation that precedes it as arguably the toughest race on the World Rally Championship WRC Calendar and Finnish driver Sami Pajari is bracing for it.
The Safari takes place March 20 to 23 in Naivasha and the 23-year-old Finn, contesting his first full season in a GR Yaris Rally1, is relishing the opportunity to take on the punishing African terrain.
After opening his campaign on the asphalt of Rallye Monte-Carlo and the frozen forests of Rally Sweden, Kenya presents an entirely new challenge.
“The season has started with some very specific rallies,” Pajari acknowledged. “So it’s not been easy, but so far we have done some nice stage times and had many positive moments, and hopefully it can continue like this in Kenya, he told the WRC.
“I was there for the recce last year, so I know a little bit what the roads are like, but it’s still going to be a huge challenge. The team has been really good there over the past few years, so I can expect the car to be strong, but I’m focused on my performance as well.
For Pajari, the rally comes with less pressure in truth. A young driver on debut in Kenya will not be expected to set records and he acknowledges that the experience will count as much as a win would.
“The target is just to gain as much experience as we can, but we’re also there to do our best and in a rally like this, anything can happen. It will be tough, but I’m looking forward to the challenge."
The Safari is set to kick off next week with the official Recce and Shakedown taking place from Monday.
At the time of this reporting, all Category 1 teams have arrived and are setting up in Naivasha for the rally.