Kenyan Rally giant Baldev Chager is hopeful to put up a show and an outstanding performance at the WRC Safari Rally Championship in Hell's Gate Naivasha from 16th to 19th July as he banks on having a home advantage against other foreign drivers in the race.
The phenomenal National Rally Champion believes that the Kenyan drivers will have an added advantage over other drivers as they understand the local terrain which other esteemed foreign drivers will struggle to settle into.
However, Chager admits that a lot has changed in the world of Safari Rally since his last participation in the competition in 1998, where he finished 15th overall with Tinu Khan in a Subaru Legacy. He explains that the rally at the time was a long drive which puts drivers into an endurance test as the drive unlike the modern day rally which is a typical sprint format and has forced him and other iconic drivers to adjust into the modern day sprint mode driving.
Chager also believes foreign drivers have the advantage of competing in many international events, in various kinds of terrain, and therefore may not need much time to adjust to the local turf.
The experienced rally driver has been in fine form in this season's Kenya National Rally Championship competitions, which was in its second circuit in Machakos before all sporting activities were suspended to mitigate the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Service Park is currently complete as it awaits to host the historic WRC in the midst of the global pandemic.The 4 day event will see over 2500 rally participants ,managers and government officials all assemble in Naivasha for the competition.