TGR-WRT proud of Safari Rally Kenya record

In iconic, challenging terrain

The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) competed in its 100th event in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) from March 20 to 23, 2025, at the Safari Rally Kenya, aiming to defend its unbeaten record.

The rally is renowned for its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions, making it one of the most gruelling and prestigious events on the WRC calendar.

The rally marked a significant milestone for TGR-WRT, as the team reached its 100th WRC event since debuting in the championship in 2017. This achievement follows a remarkable start to the 2024 season, with TGR-WRT clinching a one-two finish and maximum points in the first two rallies held in Monte Carlo and Sweden.

With this strong beginning, Toyota was firmly positioned at the top of the manufacturers’ standings, boasting its best start to a WRC season in the modern era.

The team’s driver line-up for the Safari Rally includes some of the best talent in the sport. Elfyn Evans, fresh from his victory in Sweden, leads the drivers’ standings heading into Kenya. His triumph in Sweden saw him engaged in a thrilling battle to the finish with his teammate Takamoto Katsuta, who is no stranger to success on Kenyan soil.

Katsuta has previously secured three podium finishes in Kenya and aimed to build on this success. The third member of TGR-WRT’s full-time drivers, Kalle Rovanperä, was also a strong contender in Kenya, having won the event in 2022 and 2024.

In addition to the team’s established stars, Sami Pajari made his Safari Rally debut. As part of the TGR-WRT2 entry, Pajari aimed to gain valuable experience on one of the most challenging rallies in the world.

TGR-WRT has a successful history at the Safari Rally, with the team securing victories in all four editions since the event returned to the WRC calendar in 2021. Toyota’s overall tally of wins in Kenya now stands at 12, further cementing its regional dominance.

This year’s edition of the Safari Rally held additional significance for the team as it marked the 40th anniversary of Juha Kankkunen’s first-ever WRC victory on the event, driving the Toyota Celica Twincam Turbo. Kankkunen, a four-time world champion, was on the ground with the team in his new role as Deputy Team Principal, overseeing operations during the rally.

The Safari Rally presents unique challenges for both drivers and teams. The event is known for its rugged and unpredictable terrain, which includes rough, rocky sections and soft sand that can be just as difficult to navigate. Rain can quickly transform the usually dry and dusty tracks into slippery mud, adding complexity to the event. In response to these conditions, teams can install snorkel systems on their cars, enabling them to navigate deep water or soft sand while ensuring the engines are not starved of oxygen.

The route was expanded this year, making it the most extended WRC round in many years, with 384.86 competitive kilometres. The rally began at lunchtime on March 2 from the Kenyan capital city, Nairobi.

The first stage occurred at the nearby Kasarani Super Special stage, followed by a new stage called Mzabibu near the service park in Naivasha. On March 22, teams tackled a loop of four stages, run twice, including the rally’s longest stage, Camp Moran, at 32.2km. Crews then headed north to Lake Elmenteita for three repeated stages. The final day, March 23, saw Mzabibu revisited before the rally concluded with the Hell’s Gate Power Stage.

In addition to the works team, the 2024 GR Yaris Rally2 debuted on African soil, with four customer entries among the top six crews on the WRC2 entry list. Oliver Solberg, joint championship leader following a victory in Sweden, was one of the key contenders in the WRC2 category.

Solberg was joined by the Teo Martín Motorsport duo of Spain’s Jan Solans and Paraguay’s Diego Domínguez, as well as Poland’s Kajetan Kajetanowicz, a three-time European champion who made his debut with the GR Yaris Rally2 in the Rallylab Technology team.

The Safari Rally saw the return of Juha Kankkunen, one of the greatest names in rallying history. Kankkunen, who secured his first-ever WRC win on the Safari Rally in 1984, was on hand in his new role as Deputy Team Principal for TGR-WRT.

Kankkunen brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team, having competed in the event numerous times throughout his illustrious career. His presence provided invaluable guidance to the team, especially considering the rally’s complex and unpredictable nature.

TGR-WRT’s team principal, Jari-Matti Latvala, expressed excitement about the team’s 100th rally milestone and Safari Rally. “The Safari Rally is always a special event for our team, and this year’s edition has extra significance as our 100th WRC rally since we started in 2017,” said Latvala.

“Of course, we hope to mark this milestone with another great result, but we know this rally is never predictable. The route is even longer now, and there’s a strong chance of rain at this time of year, making the stages extremely slippery,” he said ahead of the rally’s start.

Latvala also highlighted the importance of adapting to new challenges, with this being the first gravel rally with the revised technical regulations for 2024 and the new Hankook tyres. “Elfyn, Kalle, and Takamoto have all been strong in Kenya before, while Sami’s first Safari was all about learning. They all counted on Juha Kankkunen’s knowledge, who took over my duties on the ground for the first time.”

As the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team celebrated its 100th event, the Safari Rally Kenya presented a fitting challenge for the team to continue its success and defend its unbeaten record in the event. With a strong lineup of drivers, a wealth of experience, and the guidance of rally legend Juha Kankkunen, TGR-WRT aimed to add another victory to its record and further cement its dominance in the WRC.

Fans and enthusiasts all awaited what promised to be an exciting and unpredictable rally. The unique challenges of the Kenyan landscape tested the mettle of the world’s best rally teams. The Safari Rally continues to be one of the most thrilling events on the WRC calendar, and with Toyota’s legacy in the region, all eyes were on the team as it aimed to make history again.

Hero image: Besides the works team, the 2024 GR Yaris Rally2 debuted on African soil, with four customer entries among the top six crews on the WRC2 entry list. Credit: TGR-WRT