Motorsport · WRC · 2026

Date & time

12 Mar 2026, 17:03

Round

3

Location

Nairobi, Kenya

The Safari Rally is an automobile rally held in Kenya. It was first held in 1953 as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The event was part of the World Rally Championship from 1973 until 2002, before returning in 2021. It is historically regarded as one of the toughest events in the World Rally Championship, and one of the most popular rallies in Africa. From 2003, a historical event (East African Safari Rally) has been held biennially. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston made history on Sunday by securing an emotional maiden FIA World Rally Championship victory at Safari Rally Kenya. On his 94th WRC start, Katsuta became the first Japanese driver to win a WRC round since Kenjiro Shinozuka triumphed at the Ivory Coast Rally in 1992. The result is especially poignant for Katsuta, coming at the same African event where he scored his first WRC podium back in 2021.