Finland driving ace Tapio Laukkanen arrives in Nairobi on Sunday ahead of the 2017 Safari Rally.
The rally, which is part of the African Championship, will be run over two days starting from Friday.
Speaking on phone from Finland on Friday, Laukkanen said he was not interested in the African Rally Championship contest, but his aim was to enjoy himself and do well in the Safari Rally at his third attempt.
‘’ARC itself doesn’t mean anything for me for now. I also don’t have any special plans for the Safari Rally but just to go out and enjoy,” the Finnish speed merchant said.
“Over the last two years we have been a bit unlucky, but if I recall we finished third last year. We will be in the same Subaru again and hope to get a trouble free event.”
As part his first programme of the day, Laukkanen will give a rally lecture to the associates of the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy move to Nairobi’s GP Karting.
Laukkanen is also a rally driving instructor who has given talks worldwide.
Meanwhile, the new kid on the block, Manvir Baryan is aiming for a podium finish in the Safari Rally following his heroics at the Mombasa Rally where he won his maiden major rally title.
Baryan, who has been on the scene for less than four years, has already proved shown his mettle racing against some of the most established and renowned drivers in the Kenya National Rally Championship.
After giving the Skoda Fabia model its first-ever rally victory on the African Continent by clinching victory in Mombasa last month, the young driver is out to score another podium finish in the Safari Rally next week.
“Our car is ready as there wasn’t much to do after the last event. We will aim for a podium and see how it goes. I will, hopefully, do a few rounds of the ARC depending on the work time schedule,” said Baryan, who is currently out of the country on business commitments.
Besides concentrating on his personal commitments as a rally driver, Baryan’s Multiple Haulers, is also the main supporter and sponsor of Finland’s Tapio Laukkanen.
According to the official reports, several foreign drivers have already embarked
