WRC resumption breeze of fresh air for Safari preps

World champion Ott Tänak claimed a home victory at WRC Estonia last weekend in a Hyundai i20 car , in an emotional event.

It was a historical and important rally this season, and  signalled the resumption of the World Rally Championship  (WRC)  since the Mexico race last March after Covid-19 induced postponements of the remaining rounds of the series.

Tanak led the three-day event right from the start in a high octane action that replicated the thin line of speed  between the top drivers which also  vindicated them after six months of inactivity because of Covid-19.

Tanak won by a mere 22.2 seconds ahead of teammate Craig Breen.

Sebastien Ogier in a Toyota Yaris retained his championship lead with a podium finish, third 4.7 seconds  behind Breen.

The WRC battle heads to Turkey later this month. But the man of the moment was  Kalle Rovanpera , winner of the live TV Wolf Power Stage in a Yaris. He collected five bonus points.

Earned four points

Rovanpera was followed home by team-mate Elfyn Evans who earned four points, with Tänak taking three in third. Ogier clinched two points in fourth as Breen secured the final point in fifth.

The resumption of the champion augurs well for Kenya.

It has given the country the impetus to continue preparing for the 2021 Safari Rally.

The 2020 return edition was shelved in May after consultation between the government, the International Motorsport Federation (FIA) and WRC Promoter.

Several countries including Germany, Portugal, Finland, Japan, and New Zealand postponed their rounds as well to later this year.  

There were crowds in Estonia, and the event resonated very well with the aficionados because at last the world of motorsport had returned amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Estonia social distancing was practised to the letter. Hyundai  has started the year on a resounding note.
Kenyans are looking forward to seeing how the car will perform here  21 years since Phineas Kimathi gave the South Korean manufacturer it’s  first WRC points in winning the F2 category of the Safari Rally.

This was a follow-up of Azar Anwar’s victory in the Safari  F2 in another Korea make -- the  Daewoo Cielo.
That year, the Safari counted towards the FIA Two litre Championship in a new rotational format which was dropped the following year  in favour of 13 rounds calendar.

Estonia was the 600th WRC round since the championship began in 1973 and marked the series’  return after a six-month pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

WRC action now moves to the Mediterranean sea coast of Turkey on September 18 to 20.

WRC organisers are hoping to achieve a seven rounds target for the drivers and manufacturers to count.

The world is growing confident despite the Covid-19 scare and Italy where the disease became a pandemic will host the next round on October 8 to 11 followed by the final event of 2020 in Belgium on November 19 to 22.

These developments followed by, hopefully, resumption of sporting activities in the country in the coming days means Safari  Rally preparations can continue in earnest.

Kenya should use the national championship to practice and perfect social distancing and other Covid-19 related restrictions as they forge ahead with the places for a successful Safari Rally next year.

The Kenya National Rally Championship was like all sporting events also shelved this year with only one event held in Nyahururu. The 2021 Safari is an event the government is giving top priority.  

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