Irish Competitors Gear Up for the Challenging Safari Rally Kenya

Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy are participating in the Safari Rally Kenya this weekend as part of the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 team. Their experiences from previous rallies, including the East African Safari Classic Rally, have prepared them for the challenges of this unique event. The Safari Rally is known for its difficult terrain, and Aaron Johnston is competing in his fifth Safari Rally with ambitions of achieving success after a strong finish in Sweden.

Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy are poised to participate in the distinguished Safari Rally Kenya, marking their third World Rally Championship event of 2025 this weekend. The duo is part of a three-car M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 team, following impressive performances in Monte-Carlo and Sweden. This event introduces gravel terrain to the season, although Kenya’s challenging loose-surface stages differ significantly from other upcoming gravel rallies in the WRC calendar.

The Safari Rally Kenya is infamous for testing both vehicles and crews to their limits, featuring rugged landscapes, hazardous fesh-fesh, and tricky water splashes. McErlean and Treacy previously encountered the rally’s challenging environment during the East African Safari Classic Rally in late 2023, where they drove a Porsche 911 for 1500 kilometers, which helped them understand the complexities posed by the equatorial conditions.

Reflecting on the unique nature of Safari Rally Kenya, McErlean stated, “I’ve said it about every rally so far this year, but this event is so unique, it’s hard to fully know what to expect.” He had a promising debut in Rally Monte-Carlo, where a cautious strategy earned M-Sport its first championship points this year, followed by a strong performance in Sweden before clinching an overall victory in Ireland’s National Rally Championship.

Aaron Johnston, a fellow representative of Motorsport Ireland, is set to embark on his fifth Safari Rally Kenya. The experienced Toyota co-driver holds two podiums from previous outings with Takamoto Katsuta and enters this year’s challenge in excellent form, having finished as a runner-up in Rally Sweden. The event commences with a shakedown on Wednesday morning, proceeding to the initial competitive stages on Thursday afternoon, culminating in a total of 21 stages that will test the competitors in one of the most demanding events on the 2025 WRC calendar.

In conclusion, the Safari Rally Kenya represents a significant challenge and opportunity for competitors like Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, and Aaron Johnston. With their prior experience and recent successes, these drivers aim to overcome the unique tests presented by the rugged terrain and unpredictable conditions of this iconic rally. As they embark on this demanding journey, they embody the spirit of adventure and competition inherent in the World Rally Championship.

Original Source: www.northernsound.ie