Safari signals the start of Greensmith’s WRC2 title chase

With this week’s event being his first point-scoring opportunity of the season, the British driver, alongside co-driver Jonas Andersson, will pilot a Toksport-run Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.

Eager to build on last season’s second-place finish in the WRC2 championship, Greensmith is confident that his hiatus since November’s Central European Rally hasn’t dulled his competitive edge.

A recent regional outing in Spain provided him with a chance to readjust to the challenges of gravel rallying, however, Safari Rally Kenya – an event he’s tackled twice before- presents a unique set of hurdles.

“It’s definitely the toughest and roughest rally on the calendar, with rocks and mud being the most slippery of the season,” Greensmith said. “It’s probably the only rally where we have to consciously slow down and take the car into account in order to bring it to the finish successfully.

“It’s important to find a balance between taking care of the car and speed, pushing hard,” he added.

Joining Greensmith under the Toksport banner is his Fabia counterpart Oliver Solberg, who currently leads the championship following a commanding triumph at Rally Sweden.

Among the other challengers is Frenchman Nicolas Ciamin, making his Safari Rally debut behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 N Rally2. Charles Munster, piloting a similar car, is also in the mix, while contenders like Poland’s Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Daniel Chwist are also ones to watch.

Kenya’s own talents are also well represented, with local drivers including Carl Tundo and Karan Patel both eyeing podium finishes. Patel, who drives an R5-specification Fabia, is the reigning African champion.