Solberg eyes WRC2 glory amidst fierce competition in Safari Rally

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MOTORSPORTS Solberg eyes WRC2 glory amidst fierce competition in Safari Rally

Festus Chuma 11:04 - 14.03.2024

Oliver Solberg leads a fierce WRC2 battle at the Safari Rally Kenya aiming for glory amidst intense competition and challenges.

Oliver Solberg is set to lead a packed and highly competitive field into the heart of Kenya for this month’s Safari Rally marking what is anticipated to be the most fiercely contested WRC2 battle since the event’s grand return to the FIA World Rally Championship calendar.

The 22-year-old Swede, fresh off his victory in Rally Sweden, steps into the African savannah as the frontrunner in a race that promises drama and unparalleled rally action from Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 March.

Solberg, who has consistently shown his prowess with top 10 finishes in Kenya over the last two seasons, including a commendable drive in a Hyundai i20 N Rally1 in 2022, is eyeing the WRC2 crown for the first time on African soil.

Behind the wheel of his trusty Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Solberg is gearing up for his fourth Safari start, aiming to convert past experiences into a triumphant quest for points in the WRC2 category.

Adding to the high-octane mix is Gus Greensmith, another seasoned Fabia pilot as per WRC.com.

Kicking off his 2024 season, Greensmith is no stranger to the demanding nature of the Safari Rally, which spans 355 competitive kilometers across 19 stages, making it the season's longest rally to date.

Greensmith’s return, after sitting out last year's edition, is fueled by memories of his best-ever WRC finish in 2021 - a fourth place in a Ford Fiesta WRC.

French driver Nicolas Ciamin, aboard a Hyundai i20 N Rally2, is also one to watch. After clinching fourth at the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo, Ciamin is set to make his Safari debut with aspirations to disrupt the leaderboard and add his name to the list of podium finishers.

The Safari Rally's reigning WRC2 champion, Kajetan Kajetanowicz, is entering the fray, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the toughest event of the season. The Polish star, driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, is well-versed in the art of conquering the Kenyan terrain, making him a formidable contender.

The entry list is further bolstered by notable names such as Charles Munster (Hyundai i20 N Rally2), Diego Domínguez Jr (Citroën C3 Rally2), and Daniel Chwist (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), alongside Kenya’s own rally legend, Carl Tundo, in a Ford Fiesta R5.

Local heroes, including Karan Patel and Carl “Flash” Tundo, are back to challenge the WRC2 regulars following a highly competitive showing last year that saw Tundo secure a historic WRC2 podium finish.

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