Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy will compete in the Safari Rally Kenya, marking their first gravel event of the WRC 2025 season. They lead the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 team, while fellow Motorsport Ireland driver Aaron Johnston is also participating. The arduous rally consists of 21 stages and poses various challenges, including rugged terrain and water obstacles.
Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy are set to participate in their third World Rally Championship event of 2025 at the renowned Safari Rally Kenya this weekend. Representing the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, this duo spearheads a notable M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 team following commendable performances in Monte-Carlo and Sweden. Safari Rally Kenya will introduce challenging gravel terrain for the first time this season, showcasing distinct conditions compared to other gravel rallies on the WRC timetable.
The Safari Rally is infamous for its rigorous challenges, as competitors confront rugged landscapes, treacherous fesh-fesh, and deceptive water splashes. McErlean and Treacy previously experienced the essence of the Safari during the East African Safari Classic Rally in late 2023, completing the 1500-kilometre event in a Porsche 911, which provided valuable insight into the difficult conditions typical of the equatorial region. “I’ve said it about every rally so far this year, but this event is so unique, it’s hard to fully know what to expect,” commented McErlean.
In their debut at Rally Monte-Carlo, McErlean adopted a cautious strategy that resulted in M-Sport’s initial championship points for the year. Their performance continued to improve on the snow-covered stages of Rally Sweden, culminating in their first overall rally victory together in Ireland’s National Rally Championship.
Aaron Johnston, another representative of Motorsport Ireland, will also compete in his fifth Safari Rally Kenya this year. The experienced Toyota co-driver has a history of success, securing two podium finishes alongside Takamoto Katsuta. Coming off a strong runner-up finish at Rally Sweden, Johnston commences this year’s Safari Rally with optimism. The extensive event will encompass 383 kilometres, beginning with a shakedown on Wednesday morning and featuring two competitive stages on Thursday afternoon, contributing to a total of 21 stages in this challenging 2025 WRC calendar event.
The Safari Rally Kenya will serve as a significant test for competitors in the World Rally Championship 2025, introducing unique challenges not present in earlier events. Participants like Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, and Aaron Johnston are poised to showcase their skills on demanding gravel terrain. The event represents a crucial part of the championship, emphasizing the importance of strategic preparation and adaptability in rally racing.
Original Source: www.northernsound.ie
