National teachers Championship kick off at Homabay
The national teachers tournament kicked of today at Agoro Sare highschool. Twenty nine teams take part in the tournament fifth edition.
After the icy Tarmac of Monte Carlo, and the heavy snow of Sweden, Kenya gives the crews the first chance to test their speed on a loose surface this year, as the first of the eight gravel rallies in the season.
And gravel tests don’t come much more challenging than this, with rough roads, fesh-fesh and the prospect of the sudden downpours of the East African rainy season all awaiting the drivers on this historic and unique event. And there’s guaranteed to be a different winner than last year; Sébastien Ogier hasn’t returned for the 2024 edition.
But which crews are the best placed to succeed on Kenya’s grueling stages? And who just needs to survive the Safari adventure and bank precious world championship points?
Here’s our form guide ahead of this year’s Safari Rally Kenya.
#11 Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)
Last 3 WRC results: 4th-1st-13th
Best Kenya result: 5th (2022)
The championship leader and his Hyundai team are riding high after a strong start to the season, in which the Belgian showed true class to winning the Monte Carlo Rally, followed by salvaging a decent chunk of points after starting first on the road in Sweden.
Neuville will again be first man on the road in Kenya, but whether that is a help or a hindrance depends on how the weather will impact proceedings. A dry rally could see him struggle, but a wet event could level the playing field, although it’s fair to say nobody really knows how this week’s weather will influence the event.
After the drama of last year’s disqualification in Kenya, due to conducting illegal reconnaissance, the Hyundai star will be keen to show his speed on the Safari, an event on which a podium result has thus far eluded him, this time around.
A top-three finish would be a welcome result for Neuville and serve him well in his WRC title challenge.
