Rally: Standard Group urge corporates to support tenth edition of East African Safari Classic Rally

Safari rally co-driver Laban Cliff Onserio during an interview at home in Nakuru on June 30,2021.[KIpsang Joseph,Standard]

Leading Kenyan media house, the Standard Group, has called upon corporates to come on board to support the tenth edition of the East African Safari Classic  Rally (EASCR).

The gruelling motorsport championship will be held on February 10-18,2022.

It will traverse some of the tedious routes in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

"The magnitude of the competition has great potential to transform the economy," enthusiastic rally driver Laban Cliff Onserio stated during the launch of the event in Nairobi on Friday night.

"Corporates should seize the opportunity to market their products," he added.

Onserio, who doubles up as Chief of Staff Standard Group, said the competition launched in 2003 will help showcase Kenya to the rest of the world during the championship.

"As the rest of the globe will be focused to have a glimpse of the legendary motorsport event, corporates should seize the moment to drive their interests," he said.

Onserio is a very passionate rally driver.

He is best remembered to have navigated for the youngest and promising rally speedster Rio Smith at the prestigious WRC Safari Rally that combed the rough terrains of Naivasha in June.

The duo competed in a Ford Fiesta finishing 26th overall in the global championship won by dare devil frenchman Sebastien Ogier.

The WRC Safari was making a comeback to the country after a 19-year hiatus.

Juliana Rotich, a rally fan, says she cannot wait to have a glimpse of the EASCR which was postponed to next year due to the tough Covid-19  travel protocols.

"The event is very nostalgic; it reminds me of the days my father used to take me out during Easter holidays to watch the vehicles compete.

"Those moments are  priceless," she said.

Rotich has urged women to come on board and embrace the sport.

She hailed the late Orie Rogo Manduli for her bravery to join the game which made her the first ever African woman rally driver.

She hailed the current duo of Maxine Wahome and Lynet Ayuko who are continuing with Manduli's legacy in the sport.

Peris Nduta Muhoro, the Sponsorship Manager Safaricom, said the mobile services providers have already committed Sh6 million towards the EASCR.

From left- Peris Nduta Sposorship Manager Safaricom PLC, Laban Cliff Chief of Staff The Standard Group PLC and Julian Rotich Board member Standard Group and Safaricom money transfer service during the official launch of The East African Safari Classic Rally at Marula in Karen, Nairobi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The championship has attracted former Junior World Rally Champion Patrik Sandell of Sweden, Ken Block of USA, a YouTube rally guru  whose sports films are commanding over 500 million views across the world and KNRC ace Eric Bengi of Kenya.

Ahead of the main event, the organisers have come up with a low budget Mini-Classic Rally slated for November 1-9 to act as a dry run.

The Mini-Classic Rally targets 700 drivers across 13 Kenyan counties as well as those from outside the country.