Toyota Kenya , the local franchise of Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation, have unveiled a replica of the 2019 World Rally Championship (WRC) winning Toyota Yaris to give Kenyans the first glimpse of a modern WRC car in 19 years.
Toyota Kenya officials said the car will be on display for the next two months in the build-up to and during the WRC Safari Rally.
“As momentum builds towards the start of the Safari Rally, Toyota Kenya will give rally fans an opportunity to view the winning 2019 Yaris WRC Replica by the Toyota Gazoo Racing team,” said Toyota Kenya Managing Director Arvinder Reel.
The company also gave the WRC Safari Rally Ksh.30 million ($300,000) sponsorship for the 2021 World Rally Championship’s Kenyan round organization.
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In addition, the company also committed donated the “00” Toyota Hilux safety car in another Sh2 million to be used during Safari Rally.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed who attended the unveiling of the replica noted the rough and tough test route Safari Rally has given to car manufacturers over time.
“It is notable to say that it is in Kenya that Toyota gained its reputation as the “King of Africa” amassing an impressive eight Safari Rally victories.
“Today’s event brings us closer to re-living this Toyota experience when the Safari Rally returns to our country and continent in 44 days on 24th June, 2021,” said Amina.
“It will be exciting to see the Toyota Team back in action after the long break. The Safari Rally also became a testing ground for vehicle manufacturers to assess their products’ durability and reliability.
“This attracted core manufacturers, including Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi, Lancia, and many top works teams in motor production and assembly,” the cabinet Secretary noted.
The CEO of WRC Safari Rally Kenya, Phineas Kimathi, assured that the Organising Committee will deliver a successful event.
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