Glimmer of hope for Kenya in WRC

By James Waindi

Excitement has hit the local rally fraternity with the announcement by the global rallying governing body, Fia, that it would withdraw the Sh11m (100, 000 Euros ) requirement for rallying events to run as candidates in the World Rally Championships (WRC).

The announcement has raised hopes for the Safari Rally, which is campaigning to be reinstated to the WRC calendar.

"Finally, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. With FIA withdrawing the 100, 000 Euro permit fee, there is an indication they want to return to Africa, specifically with the Safari Rally.

We should, however, hold our horses because it may take another two or three years since there is a calendar that runs until 2011 and the Safari Rally may just be reinstated beginning 2012," said Kenya Motor Sports Federation Chairman Jim Kahumbura as he released next years rallying calendar.

Easter Weekend

Next year’s Safari Rally will be held on the Easter weekend between April 2 and 4 and is expected to be run in Thika for the first time.

The Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) will also be making a come back in Kisumu after a four-year absence and Kahumbura says safety measures have been guaranteed.

"The last time the rally went to Kisumu in 2005, there was an accident and an ambulance took long to reach the scene and, because of the safety precautions, the rally was banned," Kahumbura said. "This year, the rally will be run in Sugar Cane plantations and closed roads to avoid any eventualities, he added.

Sponsorship

Kahumbura also announced that KCB had pledged a Sh30m sponsorship and noted they would remain title sponsors next year.

The season flags off with the KCB Biashara Banking Rally set for February 6 and 7 in Eldoret.

There will be eight rounds in the KNRC as well as the KNRC 2WD.

The Fina Bank Cross Country will have three rounds, while the KCB East Africa Rally Challenge will also have three rounds, while the Kenya National Autocross Championship with have eight rounds.

Kenya National Enduro Championships is set to have six rounds and the FIA African Rally Championship will have five rounds.

Kahumbura said the federation was planning to introduce a budget class in their calendar, which would bring together cars below 1600cc and those without turbo, to attract more participants.

 

Read all about: WRC Kenya National Rally Championships

 

 

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