The legendary Safari Rally - which gets underway on Friday - is confirmed as the third round of the IRC this year, providing an epic challenge to push drivers and cars to the maximum through the demanding gravel stages. IRC manufacturer points will be allocated on this round, but only drivers holding African competition licences will be awarded IRC driver points.

Based in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, the rally will take place from April 3-5, and will also host the second round of the FIA African Rally Championship. It last appeared on the IRC in 2007, when it formed the opening round of the series. In 2008 it obtained Supporter Event status. This season will herald the 57th running of the rally.

The rally will begin with a spectator stage in Nairobi on Friday April 3. For the first leg, crews will then head out to Nakuru and the Lake Elementaita region. The second leg will be based close to Nairobi around the small town of Athi River. The finish ceremony is due to take place on Sunday April 5.

The roads consist of gravel stages, with some watersplashes, which form a well-known highlight of the African classic. The weather is expected to be hot and dry, but as in all equatorial climates, sudden storms can strike that turn the stages into a mudbath.

The Safari Rally will see the participation of plenty of local experts this year, which means that a number of drivers will start the event with plenty of experience and a good chance of winning. For further details and a full entry list, please visit the event's official website: www.motorsportkenya.com.

The entry list on this year's Safari Rally contains a high number of local Mitsubishis, with Kenyan Lee Rose leading the local entries in his Lancer Evo IX. A highlight of the entry list is also the Volkswagen Polo S2000 of South African sisters Megan and Lola Verlaque.