- Seasoned driver Carl Tundo has argued that the WRC Safari Rally Kenya continues to hurt the local motorsport industry.
- Tundo has urged the organizers of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya to invest in the Kenyan motorsport industry.
- The 2025 WRC Safari Rally Kenya was won by Elfyn Evans, who became the first British driver to secure a victory since 2002.
Celebrated Kenyan driver Carl “Flash” Tundo has claimed that hosting the annual World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally is not helping the local motorsport industry.
Tundo, who finished 15th overall in this year’s edition that took place in Naivasha, stated that they are fed up with the situation.
According to him, since the re-introduction of the WRC Safari Rally a few years ago, the local industry has not improved.
“For good or bad we love having WRC here, but what has it done for local drivers? Local competitions have taken a step back. No money has been put into local motorsport from this event and that is something that upsets me.
We are fed up and a lot of drivers are fed up. Fans are fed up. Unfortunately for me, it stems back to having the WRC here,” explained the veteran driver.
Tundo’s plea to WRC Safari Rally Kenya organizers
Tundo urged the organizers of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya to invest a small percentage of the Ksh 980 million that was used to organize this year’s championship to enhance the sport in Kenya.
At the moment the Kenyan government does very little to support local rally events, leaving the burden to corporate organizations.
The colorful championship ended on Sunday with Toyota Gazoo Racing Team driver Elfyn Evans winning the title ahead of Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville.
The victory ensured Evans, who was co-driven by Martin Scotts, became the third driver from the United Kingdom to win the prestigious WRC Safari Rally Kenya title.
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Speaking after the impeccable display, Evans thanked everyone particularly his Toyota Gazoo Racing team stakeholders for the support.
“Incredible support throughout and amazing to see the finish line here. Thank you everyone. It means a lot as a Toyota driver to continue that run of wins here at Safari.
It is very important for the team, they work really hard for this and they deserve it,” he commented.
Colin McRae and Richard Burns are the other drivers from the United Kingdom who have managed to secure the coveted title in the past. McRae triumphed in the 2002 WRC Safari Rally edition while Burns was successful in 1998.
Top five finishers in the 2025 WRC Safari Rally Kenya
- Elfyn Evans – Scott Martin: Toyota (4:20.03.8).
- Tänak – Martin Järveoja: Hyundai (4:21:13.7).
- Thierry Neuville – Martijn Wydaeghe: Hyundai (4:23:35.8).
- Sami Pajari – Marko Salminen: Toyota (4:27:22.5).
- Takamoto Katsuta – Aaron Johnston: Toyota (4:28:19.5).
ALSO READ: Elfyn Evans gets job done to claim first WRC Safari Rally win