The World Rally Championship (WRC) African edition returns to Kenya once more. The Easter Safari Rally takes place in Naivasha between the 28th to 31st March.
Kenya’s Safaricom is partnering with WRC as the official technology partner. The partnership will see the company inject a KES 36 million sponsorship to support the event.
Safaricom will be the official provider of internet for the upcoming four-day rally. To keep everyone connected, they’re bringing in five mobile cell towers called Cell on Wheels (COWs). These COWs will be placed at key points around the event, including Hell’s Gate (which has two), Soysambu (with two as well), and the Kedong spectator stage. This will ensure internet coverage in these areas, especially important since big crowds are expected for the rally.
Safaricom’s sponsorship isn’t just about technology. They’re also giving KES 5 million to a talented young Kenyan driver, Hamza Anwar, racing in the WRC3 with a Rally 3 Ford Fiesta.
“As part of our commitment to nurturing talent, we will sponsor the youngster Kenyan driver Hamza Anwar as he has demonstrated remarkable passion and resilience in his motorsport career for years,” said Mr Peter Ndegwa, the CEO of Safaricom.
Hamza’s rally car will be installed with a gadget called a Smart Vehicle Tracking System, powered by their “Internet of Things” (IoT) technology. This system is already available to businesses who use Safaricom for fleet management.
The tracking system plugs right into the car and keeps tabs on important details like trip time, speed, route taken, fuel used, and even how the driver handles the car.
Safaricom, through their M-PESA Global money transfer service, is partnering with the M-Sport Ford rally team. This move will see them sponsor French driver Adrien Fourmaux for the rest of the year. His car and racing gear will sport the M-PESA brand.
WRC Rally Entrants
Returning to the original Easter holiday for the first time in 26 years, this years WRC rally has attracted 29 entries. Leading the charge is reigning champion Kalle Rovanpera, alongside other WRC frontrunners like Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, Ott Tänak, and Thierry Neuville. Exciting young talent joins the mix with Adrien Fourmaux, while veterans like Gregoire Munster, Jourdan Serderidis, and Oliver Solberg add experience to the roster.
Local hero Carl “Flash” Tundo, a five-time Safari Rally champion and 2009 IRC winner, will spearhead the Kenyan team. Joining him are some of the country’s top drivers, including Equator Rally champion Karan Patel, Singh Vohra, Aarkif Virani, Hamza Anwar, Minesh Rathod, and Andrew Muiruri.
