Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy are poised to compete in the Safari Rally Kenya, their third event in the 2025 World Rally Championship. They lead a trio of M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 entrants. The rally features challenging gravel terrain, different from other WRC gravel events, and comes after their experiences in previous rallies. Aaron Johnston, another competitor, enters the event with a strong record, including two Safari podiums.
Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy are set to compete in the iconic Safari Rally Kenya this weekend, marking their third World Rally Championship event of 2025. Representing the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, they lead a three-car M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 team following commendable performances in previous events held in Monte-Carlo and Sweden. This year’s Safari Rally introduces gravel terrain into the competition, providing a unique challenge with conditions that differ from other gravel rallies on the WRC calendar.
The notoriously challenging Safari Rally will push both cars and crews to their limits as they navigate through rugged terrain, treacherous fesh-fesh, and misleading water splashes. In late 2023, McErlean and Treacy gained valuable experience of the rally conditions while participating in the East African Safari Classic Rally. Completing this 1500-kilometre event gave McErlean a taste of the potential difficulties they may face in Kenya’s equatorial climate.
“It’s hard to fully know what to expect,” stated McErlean, emphasizing the unique nature of this event compared to others this season. He achieved M-Sport’s first championship points with a cautious approach during his debut at Rally Monte-Carlo, which took place on icy asphalt. His momentum continued on the snow-covered stages of Rally Sweden, culminating in their first overall victory in Ireland’s National Rally Championship shortly after returning home.
Aaron Johnston, representing Motorsport Ireland, is also eager to participate in his fifth Safari Rally Kenya this year. The experienced Toyota co-driver boasts two podium finishes alongside Takamoto Katsuta and arrives in excellent form following a notable runner-up finish at Rally Sweden. The 383-kilometre rally begins with a shakedown on Wednesday morning, followed by the first two competitive stages on Thursday afternoon. This year’s Safari Rally will feature a total of 21 stages, making it one of the most arduous challenges on the 2025 WRC schedule.
The upcoming Safari Rally Kenya presents a significant challenge for competitors, with a unique combination of rugged terrain and conditions that are unlike other gravel events in the WRC calendar. Drivers like Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, and Aaron Johnston are prepared to face these challenges, having gained valuable experience from previous rallies. The event promises to test the resilience and skills of all participants, making it a noteworthy highlight of the 2025 season.
Original Source: www.northernsound.ie
