WRC Safari Rally 2021
WRC Safari Rally 2021
WRC Safari Rally 2021: Super Powerful Sports Cars to Watch and Their Manufacturers
– The WRC Safari Rally made a return to Africa for the first time in nearly 20 years on Thursday, June 24
– A total of 58 rally drivers, 34 Kenyan and 24 foreign will take part in the 2021 edition
– Some of the super powerful sports cars to watch in the rally include Ford Fiesta WRC, Toyota Yaris WRC and Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC
The Safari rally has after a 19-year hiatus returned to Kenyan soil to the excitement of local fans who have thronged to Naivasha to witness the thrilling motor racing event.
Some 58 rally drivers, 34 Kenyan and 24 foreign will take part in this year’s edition that began on Thursday, June 24, and is set to come to a close on Sunday, June 27.
Speed and features of rally cars
Rally cars are very different from normal race cars. This is considering the
fact that they need to withstand all sorts of impacts while being driven.
Unlike the smooth, even surface of a race track, a rally stage consists of dips, large rocks, and of course, high jumps that a normal car cannot withstand.
Speeds on the twisty gravel roads average between 80 and 112km/hr,
which occasionally bursts over 160km/hr on the straights.
Some of the features of rally cars are a roll cage, upgraded suspension,and better brakes.
To survive the high-speed rough-road pounding, a rally car is usually fitted
with a beefier engine while a thick aluminium skid plate prevents sharp
rocks from cutting a hole in the vulnerable oil pan.
Powerful sports cars to watch in WRC Safari Rally 2021
WRC Safari Rally and their manufacturers.
1. Toyota Yaris WRC
The Toyota Yaris WRC was designed by Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT to compete in the World Rally Championship.
Sports CS Amina Mohammed rides in rally car ahead of anticipated championships in Naiasha
The car is based on the Vitz-based XP130 Toyota Yaris, and is the first
car Toyota has competed with in the WRC since withdrawing from the
championship at the end of the 1999 season to focus on their Le Man's Prototype and Formula One programmes.
Frenchman Sébastien Ogier, who has claimed seven WRC titles in the last eight seasons, would be the main driver of the car.
Toyota Yaris WRC costs between KSh 4.2 million and KSh 4.7 million.
2. Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC - Cost $ 20,000
The Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC ( previously known as Hyundai New Generation i20 WRC) was built by Hyundai for use in the World Rally
Championship starting in 2017.
It is based on the Hyundai i20 subcompact car and is the successor of the
Hyundai i20 WRC used between 2014 and 2015.
13 Local Rally Drivers to Lookout For in 2021 WRC Safari Rally
In 2020, it won three out of 21 entries it made accumulating 241 points.
Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC rally cost retails at an average price of KSh 2.1 million.
3. Ford Fiesta WRC
The Ford Fiesta WRC is one of the most costly rally cars. It is sold at over KSh 64 million.
It was developed by the M-Sport World Rally Team for use in the World Rally Championship starting in 2017.
The car has never disappointed since making its debut and took five wins in its first season.
4. Ford Fiesta R5 Mk. II
Fiesta R5 Mk. II is an upgraded model of the Ford Fiesta R5 that was
launched in 2019 and costs over KSh 20 million.
Its driver Kajetan Kajetanowicz won three consecutive European Rally
Championship titles in 2015, 2016 and 2017. It also secured the 2018 European title through Alexey Lukyanuk.
5. Škoda Fabia R5 Evo
Škoda Fabia R5 Evo is an updated version of the Skoda Fabia R5.The Fabia being sold for at least KSh 23 million is one of the most successful cars in the history of the R5 category, winning over 700 rally competitions all around the world.
6. Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
Prominent Kenyan rally driver Carl Tundo will be driving the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 in the 2021 WRC Safari Rally.
The car was built by Volkswagen Motorsport and based upon the Volkswagen Polo road car.
It took part in its first competition during the 2018 Catalunya Rally in Spain.
