Drivers put final touches ahead of this year’s East African Classic Rally
Sports
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| Feb 10, 2022
Driver Tobby Wright (left) and navigator Douglas Rundgren put final touches on their Ford Escort MK1 ahead of the 10th edition of the East African Safari Classic Rally, in Naivasha. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
The 10th edition of the East African Safari Classic Rally (EASCR) is set to rev off in Naivasha today.
One of the partners of the rich heritage motorsport event is Standard Group PLC. The media company was present at the Sawela Lodge in Naivasha on Tuesday night, to welcome the 50 drivers who have been preparing for over two years for the gruelling event.
The broadcaster wished the kings of endurance success in the 5000km race ahead, promising to give them unmatched coverage in its unique and diverse platforms.
“We are the home of sports. We pride ourselves as having been the newspaper that reported the first Safari Rally, way back in the 1950s,” Standard Group’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Charles Kimathi, said during the cocktail party, on Tuesday night.
Kimathi reiterated that the The Standard newspaper has been reporting the rally ever since.
“We have partnered with the rally in the past events and we are delighted to be partnering with them yet again this year.
“The rally is a win for Kenya. It’s a great heritage event we are proud to offer our support,” he said.
Since sports is one of the key strategic pillars for the giant media house that is keen to harness talents, Standard Group recently sealed a deal worth Sh21 million with the EASCR.
The new partnership has seen the media house continue to offer world-class production of the action and events around the rally in the unique and diverse platforms.
“Since that spectacular launch at the Standard Group Centre in Mombasa Road in Nairobi, we have given the Safari Classic massive coverage. You could be forgiven to think that the rally started more than a week ago,” said Kimathi.
“This demonstrates our commitment to this historic event. We will be with you throughout the period of the rally on all our media platforms; KTN, KTN News, Radio, Online and the Standard newspaper.”
Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu believes the partnership with the Classic Rally grants the media house a wide range of beneficial branding and activation opportunities during the competition.