Why your jalopy cannot compete in the Safari Rally
The Easter weekend is here and so is the 2024 World Safari Rally Championship in Naivasha, Nakuru.
For rally enthusiasts, they might be wondering why they can’t just hop into their regular car or jalopies and join the competition.
Well, the difference between standard cars and Rally cars goes beyond just appearances.
For starters, rally cars are purpose-built machines, meticulously designed to tackle the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions of rallying events.
According to Musa Locho, the Chief Scrutineer for WRC 2024, rally cars are divided into different classes and categories.
At the top of the list are Rally 1 cars, which are manufacturer-owned and not available for public purchase. These cars boast high specifications and are constructed using specialized materials to ensure top performance and safety.
“On the other hand, Rally 2 cars are more accessible to the public, with lower specifications and maintenance costs,”Locho explained to Nation.afrca.
“Rally 1 specifications are extremely high, making them expensive as they use special material to cut down on weight and ensure that the tensile strength of most of the components are of very high standards,” he says.
Despite their impressive speed capabilities, rally cars are actually speed-limited for safety reasons, ensuring that they don’t exceed 190 kilometers per hour.
Safety is paramount in rallying, with stringent regulations set by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
“As a fan when you see the rally cars when they are on the stage and they are doing a jump of up to four or five meters in the air and it lands and still rally without suspension you must know the car is very special and extremely expensive,” Locho explained.
He said that the rally cars are not mass produced hence their components are not ordinary making it expensive. For instance, one suspension for a wheel costs close to Sh1 million and one needs four and spares.
“The other components are built to a very high standard specifications using special materials like the brakes, exhaust considering how much fire it spits from the back. They are not mass production parts, they are specialized parts built with special equipment and special materials,” he noted
For newcomers interested in rallying, he suggests starting with more affordable options like Rally 5 cars, which offer a good balance of performance and affordability. These cars are perfect for learning the ropes before moving up to more powerful categories.
With the Safari Rally moving back to its more traditional Easter date during the rainy season, he said that the drivers have freedom to fit their cars with snorkel devices, which allows the car to breathe better in case it goes into a water splash.
“The drivers have been given the freedom to use it or leave, every team has their own strategy, there are many things they have to put into consideration, there is weight, when you put the snorkel the power slightly reduces because it breathes harder,” he noted.
“Do not be discouraged about the rally one and two, in Kenya we have few rally two and group N cars which are standard modified cars to rally, they are more affordable. New entrants are advised to use Rally five which are less powerful, more affordable but with good equipment to learn with.”
When it comes to tires, rally cars use specialized competition-only tires mandated by the FIA to maintain fairness. These tires are equipped with NRF ID codes for easy tracking and verification.
During the event, scrutineers are stationed along the routes to ensure that cars adhere to regulations and compete on a level playing field.
As a scrutineer before approving a car to participate in Safari Rally, they first check safety to ensure that it is safe for rally, the equipment used by drivers are safe and used in the correct manner as per the regulations and appendices of the FIA.
The scrutineers must weigh the car to ensure that it is within the specification of its weight – it should not exceed or even be under the weight. He revealed that people are being penalized for being 50grams short.
So, while you might not be able to jump into your everyday car for the Safari Rally, there’s still plenty of excitement to be had as spectators cheer on the competitors.
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.