When I hear the word “rally,” I am immediately taken back to my younger years when I started to identify with the sport. The first name that comes to my mind and many of my peers is the Illustrious Patrick Njiru. He had an almost cult-like following back in the day with breathtaking performances against the likes of Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankunnen and Colin McRae. This was when the Safari rally was still part of the WRC rallying calendar and as a country, we would play host to world-renowned drivers from across the world. However, gone are those days.
Presently, the only opportunity we have to witness international drivers and their machines attempt to go into “battle” against the tough African terrain in what is dubbed “the world’s toughest rally” is the KQ Classic Safari Rally. Now in its seventh edition in its current format, The KQ Classic Safari Rally still demands lots of speed and endurance from its competitors as they take on a brand new route through the lush landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania.
The rally will have the ceremonial flagging off from Mombasa on Thursday, 19th November before the competitors make their way towards Malindi, Kilifi County for their first three competitive stages. 20th November will be the D-day for Taita Taveta County since all rally cars will pass through Mwatate and Tsavo National Parks en route to Amboseli to tackle the competitive stages, which will be, ran within wildlife conservation areas. This is done deliberately in partnership with Wildlife Works who have put a package together to help rally teams offset their carbon footprint on this year’s rally, while simultaneously supporting conservation in the areas where the rally will pass through.
For one to have a feel of what the drivers have in store for them, take a look at the route descriptions that all drivers have received for the three competitive sections on Day 2.
Competitive Section 4 – CS 4 – 103.94km – The first 30 km is fast and twisty. The section becomes ruff from here with a lot of diversions over broken culverts. On some patches keep on best track you can see as the road condition changes off and on.
CS 5 – 85.25km – A very high-speed open road in complete virgin bush land, with a lot of wild animals, especially elephants. These animals normally move away from rally cars, but one must exercise caution on this road and should you break down, do not walk away from your car! At 52.00 km you approach a very busy, narrow village. Exercise extreme caution here!
CS 6 – 23.50km Ruff and mud holes to start with. Followed twisty thick rocky terrain and to end very fast road.
As we all look forward to enjoying this once-in-two-years spectacle, with the likes of defending champion and veteran Kenyan rally driver, Ian Duncan, Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo, Jonathan Somen and a whole list of championship drivers, safety measures have been put in place to ensure that no casualties are experienced during the gruelling 7 day marathon rally.
All spectators are kindly advised to ensure that:
- All children are kept off the road and supervised.
- All domestic animals and livestock are kept away from the road.
- Do not drive on the rally road in cars, bicycles or motorcycles.
- Don’t throw stones at the rally cars for it will be reported to the Police.
With all in place, I am ready to witness history unfold yet again in our County as the rally cars rev past us as we cheer them on in the “Crown Jewel of World Marathon Rallies” that is the KQ East African Classic Rally.
Question is: Where will you be?
Mwatate sub county 