Final preparations before the Safari Rally Kenya

What is surprising first of all is the lack of occupancy of the premises. This is explained by a much smaller list of starters (33 this year compared to 53) compared to last year. The various preparations, however, seem to be further ahead than 12 months ago. The nerve center of rally (HQ, Editor's note) is already operational, the press room is in operation, the VIP stand has not been dismantled since last June and construction of the podium has been launched.

While the crews are carrying out their first day of reconnaissance, the service park is very lively. In the three official teams, the work is divided between those who complete the assembly of the structure with everything needed for the restoration, but also the space where the engineers and members of the management will be installed. . This requires a few meters of cable, a bit of system D and the method of finding all the elements in the containers that have traveled by plane or boat. Often teams operate with a European kit and one for overseas which is used for the first time in 2022.

L’autre partie des mécaniciens s’affaire autour des Rally1. Chez M-Sport, les 5 Puma semblent prêtes à rugir et il est temps d’apporter les derniers détails aux voitures comme les numéros sur le toit. Un peu plus loin, les trois Yaris n’en sont pas au même stade. Il y a encore des hommes couchés dessous qui vérifient ou fixent des éléments. Trainant sur le côté, la grille d’aération de la face avant a l’air bien plus importante et renforcée que celle utilisée en Europe. Les enseignements de l’édition 2021 ont été visiblement retenus. Si le TGR et les troupes de Malcolm Wilson travaillent à la vue de tous, Hyundai a préféré tirer les rideaux, mais en rusant un peu il est possible de constater que les hommes de Julien Moncet ne sont pas au bord de la piscine.

The major players in the championship are not the only ones busy. The assistance teams of all the competitors are hurrying to advance their preparations, particularly those who were able to carry out a test yesterday like the French from Sainteloc with their American driver Sean Johnston (Citroën C3 Rally2). The premises, with their sometimes colorful equipment, are not left out in order to be ready for the shakedown which will take place on Wednesday from 10:01 a.m. (9:01 a.m. French time). It is also on this day that the Internet should be operational for journalists…. Hakuna matata…