Safari Rally: Make some noise!

During a test of WRC, the protocol is immutable. The vehicles undergo technical checks the day before the shakedown. For the official cars, there is generally no problem, but at the Safari a false note disrupted habits. The scrutineers checked the horns of all the competitors and there were surprises. This had nothing to do with a sudden fad, as it was part of the security measures in Kenya. “ This is something that hasn't been done in a very long time., explained an engineer, scratching his head while looking at his too discreet mount. On the one hand, we are asked to have less and less noisy cars and on the other hand this horn thing... It's not a subject that we deal with so frequently so it's not simple. »

Seeing the Rally1s coming and going to the area where technical checks were taking place was a comical spectacle. During the afternoon, horn blasts of varying lengths resonated in the four corners of the service park. After trying different solutions, the teams had to submit to the inspection again, sometimes with a verdict requiring them to explore the issue further.

A Puma stopped a few meters from a microphone connected to a device measuring decibels. The mechanic sounded the American's (horrible…) horn for a few seconds. “ This is in order, indicated one of the FIA ​​technical commissioners. You have to do the same thing with the other two. » After the Ford, an i20 then a Yaris came to shout in front of the controllers with many unpleasant surprises.

An identical process occurred for the Rally2 and this led to the use of original solutions. “ We took the horn off our rental car, said a mechanic. We were at 94 dB and I hope that will be enough. » The “song” of his Hyundai i20 Rally2 sounded more like that of a… Toyota Corolla, but the important thing was elsewhere.

After this day with a not very pleasant background sound, calm fell with night in the Naivasha service park, allowing the crickets to put their sweet song into action...