Irish Drivers Gear Up for Safari Rally Kenya 2025

Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy will compete in the Safari Rally Kenya, marking their third World Rally Championship event in 2025. They lead an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 team after strong performances in Monte-Carlo and Sweden. Fellow Motorsport Ireland representative Aaron Johnston also features in the event, which consists of 21 arduous stages across challenging terrain.

Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy are set to compete in their third World Rally Championship event of 2025 at the iconic Safari Rally Kenya this weekend. Representing the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, the duo leads an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 team, following promising performances in Monte-Carlo and Sweden. This year’s Safari Rally Kenya introduces gravel terrain for the first time, showcasing distinct challenges compared to other upcoming gravel events on the WRC calendar.

The Safari Rally is renowned for its challenging conditions, as teams navigate rugged terrain, notorious fesh-fesh, and deceptive water splashes. McErlean and Treacy previously sampled the unique conditions of this region, having completed the East African Safari Classic Rally in a Porsche 911 at the end of 2023. This 1500-kilometre event provided McErlean, 25, insight into the potential difficulties posed by the equatorial climate.

“It’s hard to fully know what to expect,” remarked McErlean, emphasizing the distinctiveness of each rally. He adopts a cautious strategy in his Rally1 debut, earning M-Sport’s first points of the season at Rally Monte-Carlo and displaying strong speed on Rally Sweden’s snow stages. Additionally, McErlean celebrated a significant triumph, securing his first overall rally victory in the opening round of Ireland’s National Rally Championship.

Aaron Johnston, also representing Motorsport Ireland, is preparing for his fifth Safari Rally Kenya, boasting two podium finishes alongside Takamoto Katsuta. After a solid runner-up performance at Rally Sweden, Johnston enters this event in formidable form. The rally begins with a shakedown on Wednesday morning, followed by the first two competitive stages on Thursday afternoon, culminating in a total of 21 stages, solidifying its status as one of the toughest events on the 2025 WRC calendar.

In summary, the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya presents a challenging and unique experience for competitors like Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, and Aaron Johnston. With its distinct terrain and fierce conditions, participants will be tested immensely during this prestigious rally. Each driver aims to adapt and excel, using their previous experiences to navigate one of the most grueling events in the World Rally Championship.

Original Source: www.northernsound.ie