Sidi forms committee to improve motor sport

By Rebecca Gichana

The newly elected chairman of the Kenya Motor Sports Federation Rallies Commission, Abdul Sidi, has constituted a committee tasked with amending, improving and developing motor sport in the country.

Those appointed to the committee are seasoned rally personalities Ian Duncan, Robert Gow, James Burke, Chris Eden, Richard Onyoni and Raaji Bhaarij. Sidi, who has already hit the ground running, said: "We want to consult widely with the drivers to come up with best practices that will develop the sport."

The former rally navigator, who officially takes over from Ashok Bhalla, whose term expires at the end of this season, said there is a lot of ground to cover in a bid to make the sport attractive to aspiring drivers.

"We want to make rally affordable to all drivers especially Formula II, which is supposed to be a low budget competition. What we have seen over the years is that the cost of participating in Formula II has become prohibitive especially with the introduction of new requirements like a fireproof overall, innerwear and helmet."

Common ground

To achieve these, Sidi said there will be adequate consultation with all stakeholders to arrive at solutions, which should not compromise safety but at the same time enable growth both for drivers and sponsors.

"There are many people interested in using Special Public Vehicles (SPVs), for example modified pick-ups and other vehicles. But under the current dispensation, that is not possible yet we can have everyone with extraneous penalties," said Sidi, who runs the Abdul Sidi Rally Academy.

Over 35 students from the academy have already ventured into active competition as both drivers and navigators while many more continue to benefit from the institution in other areas of the sport such as Marshalls and time controllers. ASRA is keen to move to Tanzania and Uganda.