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The WRC’s most brutal event, Safari Rally Kenya, is expected to feature a longer route next year in what has been signaled as a notable expansion of the event format. The news comes in the wake of wider talks over World Rally Championship (WRC) event formats, which, say organizers, are expected to be “evolutionary” rather than “revolutionary”.
Organizers have been in discussions with the FIA and WRC Promoter during 2024 about offering more flexibility on itineraries within that fixed Thursday to Sunday framework. This year Sardinia has tried out a more compact “48 hour” sprint concept, while there have also been discussions about extending Kenya’s event into a more endurance-focused format.
For 2025, while there are unlikely to be major format changes, the WRC Promoter has confirmed that Safari Rally Kenya will have an additional stage on Thursday, increasing its length beyond the 367.76 kilometers that made up this year’s event. WRC event director Simon Larkin added that there is no call to standardize a fixed style of event. It is a case of trying to give a little bit more freedom and diversity, allowing each event to have its own personality.
Larkin said that the Kenyan event will run over 350 kilometres and represented an evolutionary growth in its format. This has been part of a bid to encourage different event personalities without anchoring fixed titles like “sprint” or “endurance” on the events. The additional stage on Thursday will be included on the route back from Nairobi and add an extra layer of endurance to the event.
Similarly, Sardinia is expected to repeat its compact format with a revised 266.12-kilometer itinerary next year. Larkin described the Sardinia event as exciting due to its compact nature and anticipates that future events will continue to evolve in this manner. The focus is on maintaining a balanced calendar that accommodates both sprint and endurance formats, ensuring that the championship remains diverse and engaging.
FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley underscored the need to maintain a balanced calendar. While some organizers may want to try their hand at other formats, he added that the core principle of the current approach works for most people. Wheatley stressed that the key is not to have all events go down either the sprint or endurance format, but to strike a balance between both so the championship remains varied and interesting.
In all, the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya route will be extended, reflecting an evolutionary approach to WRC event formats. While changes are being made to enhance the event’s endurance aspect, the overall strategy remains focused on providing flexibility and maintaining a balanced and diverse championship calendar.
