As the FIA World Rally Championship turns to gravel, adventure awaits the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team at Safari Rally Kenya. Famed as one of the toughest and most unpredictable events on the calendar, Grégoire Munster, Josh McErlean and Jourdan Serderidis will be looking to tame what is arguably the most demanding rally of the year.
Challenging crews and teams alike with rough terrain and an ever-present threat of rain, Safari Rally Kenya is an event like no other. Rocky roads and deep ruts demand extra vigilance, and should the heavens open sandy tracks become treacherously muddy.
As well as carrying extra spares, the Ford Puma Rally1s are also modified to contend with the demanding nature of the Kenyan stages – extra protection, exaggerated ride height and a specialised air intake, or ‘snorkel,’ giving the competition cars an exclusive look for this unique event.
Reviving the spirit of classic endurance rallies, fresh challenges await this year’s competitors as new routes are combined with iconic stages; and the Puma trio will all be hoping to draw inspiration from the late, great, Colin McRae who last took the Blue Oval to a Kenyan victory in 2002, and who’s 1999 Safari-winning Focus still sits proudly on display at Dovenby Hall.
And it’s at Dovenby Hall where the crews prepared for the challenge ahead – all three completing a full day of testing in the Cumbrian forests before journeying to Kenya and the beautiful Lake Naivasha National Park.
Having made their Kenyan Rally1 debut last year, Munster and co-driver Louis Louka will be looking to harness that experience with a positive performance next week. Having gained a wealth of knowledge and proved his pace with some impressive times of late, the Luxembourg driver will be looking to bring it all together in a strong showing next week.
Speaking of strong showings, Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy did just that when they made their Rally Sweden debut last month, but tackling the notorious Kenyan stages for the very first time in Rally1 machinery will be a true baptism of fire. Tasked with gaining as much experience as possible, the pairing looks forward to the challenge and is keen to showcase an improving performance throughout the event.
Safari Rally Kenya is a special event for all drivers, but perhaps even more so for Jourdan Serderidis who secured his best WRC performance of seventh overall at the event in 2022. Reunited with experienced co-driver Frédéric Miclotte, the pairing will be eager for another thrilling outing at one of the Greek driver’s favourite events.
Richard Millener, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Principal, said:
“Kenya is always one of the most exciting, yet extreme, events on the calendar. It’s where big opportunities exist for good results. All our drivers know this, and will approach the event with speed but also sense, as you have to attack the Safari Rally in a very different way to other events. The weather and terrain will make it as tricky as ever but I’m looking forward to the challenge, as well as getting back to this beautiful country!”
Grégoire Munster said:
“I’m really looking forward to Safari Rally Kenya, it’s probably my favourite event on the calendar, just because you experience things there that you don’t see anywhere else - not only with the wildlife but also with the tricky conditions. The heavy rain can be really intense, and the terrain is always changing so you have to pick a small track in the middle of tall grass fields which really adds to the character of the event.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, I think we are well prepared with the team and we had a good pre-event test in Greystoke earlier this week, so we just want to do well in Kenya and get a strong result.”
Josh McErlean said:
“This iconic event pushes drivers, co-drivers, and machines to their absolute limits, and I'm excited to take on its demanding terrain. The guys and girls at M-Sport have worked hard to prepare the cars into Safari spec, it’s pretty cool seeing the snorkel on the car. Both myself and Eoin are ready to face this adventure and whatever it throws our way.”
Jourdan Serderidis said:
“Kenya is where I have delivered my best results in WRC, with seventh in 2022 and ninth last year. I can’t wait to do it once again and to do my best to enter the top ten again! I know it is a tough rally and that we need to have a perfect run through the stages, and we also want to show our improvements that we have seen during the pre-event test.”
Imagery courtesy of Phill and Marcus Andrews. Published 14 March 2025.