As the world’s best rally teams prepare for the legendary WRC Safari Rally Kenya, all eyes are firmly fixed on the championship leaders, Toyota Gazoo Racing. After a powerful start to the 2026 World Rally Championship season in Monte Carlo and Sweden, the Japanese manufacturer arrives on African soil carrying momentum, confidence, and the determination to extend its dominance.
For African fans, especially those traveling from different regions like Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania to Kenya, this is more than just another rally — it is a rare opportunity to witness world-class rally machines and elite drivers battle the unforgiving African terrain in person.
Leading Toyota’s charge is the current championship-leading crew of Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin with 60 points.
He started the season in exceptional form, delivering consistent performances that have placed him at the top of the drivers’ standings. Known for his smooth driving style, intelligence, and mechanical sympathy, Evans is widely regarded as one of the most complete drivers in modern rallying.
Safari Rally, however, presents a completely different challenge. Unlike the icy roads of Sweden or the mountains of Monte Carlo, Kenya’s rough gravel roads demand patience and survival. Evans and Martin’s partnership remains one of the most reliable combinations in the championship, and they arrive in Kenya as strong favourites to extend Toyota’s lead.
One of the biggest attractions for fans this year is the presence of the reigning 2025 World Champion, Sebastien Ogier.
The French legend is one of the greatest drivers in rally history, and his return to Safari Rally adds enormous excitement to the event.
Ogier’s experience, intelligence, and ability to adapt to any surface make him extremely dangerous especially in a rally as demanding as Kenya.
African fans are particularly eager to witness him on gravel, where his precision and control stand out. For many Ugandan fans making the journey, seeing Ogier in action will be a dream come true.
Safari Rally is a place where legends prove themselves, and Ogier’s presence raises the level of competition even higher.
At the heart of Toyota’s success is its weapon the GR Yaris Rally1.
This hybrid Rally1 machine represents the peak of rally engineering, combining; Hybrid power performance, extreme durability, reinforced suspension, advanced aerodynamics for Safari Rally, the cars are specially prepared to handle brutal punishment, with increased ride height and stronger components. These cars are not just built to be fast, they are built to survive.
Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta returns to Kenya with confidence,
valuable experience and his calm, disciplined driving style makes him well-suited to the unpredictable African terrain.
Katsuta has proven he can fight at the front, and this rally presents another opportunity to show his strength.
Rising star Oliver Solberg represents the future of rallying and adds youthful energy to Toyota’s powerful lineup known for his fearless approach and natural speed, Solberg faces one of the biggest tests of his young career.
Safari Rally will challenge his patience, skill, and endurance.
Africa has shaped many rally careers. This could be a defining moment for him.
Toyota Gazoo Racing has become the benchmark team in the modern WRC era.
Their success is built on,
Superior engineering, strategic excellence, elite driver lineup, proven reliability, they arrive in Kenya not just as championship leaders but as the team everyone is chasing.
Excitement is building rapidly across Uganda, with fans preparing to travel to Kenya to witness the rally live.
Now, they will experience them in reality, the sound, speed and power.
Watching Evans, Ogier, Katsuta, Solberg and others push their GR Yaris Rally1 cars to the limit on African soil will be unforgettable.
It is an experience, Africa awaits as Toyota Gazoo Racing arrives on African soil with the championship lead and the world champion in their ranks, the mission is clear, “To conquer Safari Rally once again” but Safari Rally does not forgive mistakes.
It only rewards the strength of machine, team and mind.
And Africa is ready.
