Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy prepare for the Safari Rally Kenya, their third World Rally Championship event of 2025. They lead a three-car M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 team after prior successes. The rally presents unique gravel challenges and tough terrain, testing their skills and endurance. Fellow competitor Aaron Johnston also returns, aiming for success after notable finishes.
Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy will represent the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy at the upcoming Safari Rally Kenya, marking their third event in the World Rally Championship for 2025. This year, the duo leads a three-car team utilizing the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 after successful performances earlier in Monte-Carlo and Sweden. The Safari Rally will introduce gravel terrain, differing significantly from prior gravel events in the WRC calendar.
The challenging Safari Rally will rigorously test both vehicles and teams as they navigate Kenya’s rugged landscapes, notorious fesh-fesh terrain, and tricky water splashes. At the conclusion of 2023, McErlean and Treacy gained valuable experience by participating in the East African Safari Classic Rally, a 1500-kilometre race in a Porsche 911, which provided them insights into the complex conditions typical of this equatorial region.
Describing the uniqueness of the event, McErlean stated, “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.” He approached his Rally1 debut at Monte-Carlo with caution, ultimately earning M-Sport’s first championship points for the year. Following that, he showcased promising speed on Sweden’s snowy stages, subsequently achieving their first overall rally win together in Ireland’s National Rally Championship.
Aaron Johnston, another Motorsport Ireland representative and co-driver for Toyota, will participate in his fifth Safari Rally Kenya. He has previously secured two podium finishes alongside Takamoto Katsuta and enters the competition in strong form after a second-place finish in Sweden. The Safari Rally comprises 21 stages and covers 383 kilometres, beginning with a shakedown on Wednesday morning and the initial two competitive stages set for Thursday afternoon, posing one of the most demanding challenges within the 2025 WRC schedule.
In summary, the upcoming Safari Rally Kenya will serve as a significant test for participants like Josh McErlean, Eoin Treacy, and Aaron Johnston, each bringing diverse experiences from their previous outings. The introduction of challenging gravel terrains in this year’s rally, coupled with the unique equatorial conditions, enhances the race’s complexity. As the competitors prepare for this arduous event, their past experiences will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their performances amid the demanding stages ahead.
Original Source: www.northernsound.ie
