If you love speed and the adrenaline rush that comes with it, we’re sure you enjoy the Safari Rally. Over the past few years, Safari Rally has gained a lot of significance in Kenya, particularly with its return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar in 2021. That said, if you’re more than just a casual viewer and want to get into the action, this guide will help you find out how to join the Safari Rally.
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What You Need to Start Your Safari Rally Journey
- You need a driving license. That said, if you don’t have a driving license, you can be a timekeeper or a marshal.
- Register for Safari Rally driving classes for training. Some schools include the East African Safari Rally Ltd and the Heltz Driving School.
- Acquire a license from the Kenya Motorsport Federation. This will allow you to participate in competitions, attend events and figure out your way around.
- Join a Safari Rally club. This will help you to establish your network, land more opportunities in the sport, and learn.
- Get a Safari Rally-approved car. Test as many vehicles as possible to match your demands with what a car gives you. If you’re a complete beginner, choose a car you can handle, and as you gain more experience, you can upgrade depending on your needs.
- Build your experience. Begin your career with local competitions to build your pedigree. Get yourself conditioned for competitive races and have a feel of what your car is like on race day.
- You can also build your own car. That said, this is an expensive venture as you’ll need all sorts of equipment and human resource to do this.
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What’s the Cost of Being a Safari Rally Driver?
One of the reasons why many people don’t venture into sports like Safari Rally is its cost. Unless you have sponsors who can provide resources to you, you’ll be footing all the costs yourself. Let’s look at the budget you need to get at least started.
A licensing fee will cost you $1390, and entry fees to rallying competitions will cost you $97.30.
Purchasing a car or building one will also cost you. The former needs at least Ksh 500,000, depending on the car, and the latter, around $25,000.
Additionally, other expenses like insurance, maintenance, and day-to-day expenditure come into place.
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Cars to Use in Safari Rally
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Some of the popular Safari Rally cars include:
- Toyota
- Ford
- Mitsubishi
- Subaru
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Eligibility Criteria for Competing in the WRC
The World Rally Championship is the biggest competition in Safari Rally. Thus, any Safari Rally driver will ultimately look to compete in the WRC.
You need to have a WRC license on top of your license from the Kenya Motorsport Federation.
Drivers with a track record of competing are more likely to get accepted into the WRC. Any aspiring driver should take local races seriously.
Meet the WRC personnel requirements. You’ll not be alone. It would help if you had a co-driver, a mechanic, among other resources.
If you’re ready for the big stage, apply for WRC competitions.
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