Arguably the fastest event on the 2021 World Rally Championship calendar, the Rally Estonia event this weekend saw the crowning of a new youngest-ever event winner. Simoultaneously, Toyota also took its sixth victory of the seven-event old 2021 championship.
WRC
Toyota wins epic Safari challenge
Toyota, who is renowned for its World Rally Championship Safari Rally victories, won the 2021 edition yet again. Simultaneously, Sebastien Ogier/ Julien Ingrassia also took their fourth victory of the season as their biggest title rivals retired. Takamoto Katsuta / Dan Barritt also claimed their first ever podium with Toyota Gazoo Racing, whilst rally favorite, Thierry Neuville / Martin Wydaeghe again found themselves with bad luck, having to retire from the lead.
Toyota ready to uphold its name at the 2021 Safari Rally
While Mitsubishi and Subaru might have taken victory on several occasions during the history of the Safari Rally, no other manufacturer has been as successful as Toyota between the WRC Safari Rally years of 1973 and 2002. During this time, the Japanese manufacturer took the chequered flag on eight occasions. With Team Gazoo Racing already being so dominant in 2021, will we see yet another win from them this year?
Ford with a rich history in Africa
Not only did Ford win the previous Safari Rally back in 2002, but they also stand as one of the most renowned manufacturers for the event.
Hyundai ready for first-ever Safari Rally
While both Ford and Toyota have been victorious at the Safari Rally before, Hyundai will head to the African continent this weekend for the very first time. The team will aim to end their 2021 misfortune thus far by going all-out.
Zasada to become oldest WRC competitor this weekend
SobieSlaw Zasada, a former 3-time European Champion, will return to tackle the gruelling Safari Rally this coming weekend. The Pole will not only become the oldest ever FIA World Rally Championship competitor, but will also compete against youngsters, 70 years his junior.
Oliver Solberg set for WRC debut later this month
Having signed with the Hyundai squad for 2020, the son of legendary 3-tim FIA World Champion will swop his R5 run machinery, raced in Monte Carlo, for a full-spec World Rally Championship car.
Lineage: Audi RennSport
The Audi-Porsche Genesis
Audi Sport, a name that can not be mentioned without a referral to the Group B (or rather the “Golden”) Era of the World Rally Championship in the 1980’s. While it was short-lived, it was Audi, who took the first step in creating a four-wheel drive rally car, intriguing other manufacturers like Peugeot, Lancia, MG and Ford to join the fight.
The motorsport conundrum
Text: Franco Theron and Junaid Samodien
Since the dawn of the 19th century, motorsport has always existed due to two key factors. Through the decades, these factors have either worked together very closely and successfully or either against one another, proving unsustainable for the sport. These two factors speak to the needs of the spectators as well as the big manufacturers (brands). The following article will analyse the movement of the motorsport world into different directions, perhaps towards an imbalance between the two factors.
Launch Report: 2016 Hyundai H1 update
The bang bus
As our first launch report for 2016, it’s only fitting that it should start with a bang. Bang for your buck, that is. In a market where small city runabouts long surpassed six figures and compact luxury sedans are pushing half a bar, it’s great to know that Hyundai’s updated H1 bus range represents excellent value.