Let's prepare for a classic Safari Rally next month
Sports
By
Editorial
| Feb 03, 2024
The Safari Rally has been confirmed as the third round of the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) and reverts to its original traditional Easter holidays weekend date for the first time in 27 years.
The Safari Rally will now be held on March 28-31 in Nairobi and Naivasha, according to the calendar released by the Federation Internationale de I' Automobile (FIA) World Motorsports Council.
Since the Safari Rally returned to the WRC calendar, it has not been held in its traditional dates of Easter weekend with the 2023 event held in June. The return to the Easter weekend is not only good news to fans but also organisers.
For fans, it brings back nostalgic memories when they used to enjoy the action across the country and cheered on local drivers like Patrick Njiru and the late Jonathan Toroitich.
It was a weekend every rally fan didn't want to miss and everyone would catch a glimpse of the cars racing through their vast district back then.
The WRC Safari Rally might have changed to a particular area of competitive action but the entertainment that comes with it, is still there.
For event organisers, being on Easter holiday has given them a chance to have increased number of fans and increased global viewership.
They must therefore deliver a world class event, which means they have to speed up preparations. March 28 is not far and the Safari Rally organisers must burn the midnight oil to make everyone happy.
Safari Rally Clerk of the Course Gurvir Bhabra in a recent statement emphasised that the organising committee had faced unique challenges and time constraints in preparing for this year's Safari Rally.
He however said the team had worked tirelessly to ensure a thrilling and unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike.
He acknowledged that the condensed planning period had necessitated a more focused approach, resulting in fewer alterations to the course.
Bhabra and team must prepare a great Easter weekend outing for the fans and the WRC. The fans planning to attend the event should prepare early and avoid last minute arrangements which can interfere with the numerous guests outside the country.
Let everyone follow the laid down regulations and that will make everything easy for everyone during the day of the rally and after.
As a country, we must ensure the event remains part of the WRC calendar and that will be mainly determined by how we will work together and present a thrilling event. The fans must be disciplined while security for the competitors and foreign participants must be a priority
Over to the organisers. Give us an event to remember and bring back all the thrills and spills of the classic Safari Rally experience.