The East Africa Classic Safari Rally brought back old memories, but...

The just-concluded East Africa Classic Safari Rally brought back memories of the golden years when the Rally formed part of the World Rally Championships.

Since the local event was scrapped off the world series in 2002, it is comforting to realise that local rally fans have not completely missed out of action as local and foreign drivers have been actively taking part in local events.

The Classic Rally, in particular, was a journey back in time for many as veteran drivers like Bjorn Waldegaard, a four-time winner of the Safari, took on Ian Duncan in what was arguably a contest between youth and experience that spilled onto Tanzania.

Duncan eventually triumphed in the battle of vintage cars by a margin of more than 10 minutes, underlining the potential local drivers have.

Although both the Kenya National Rally Championships (KNRC) series and the just-ended East Africa Classic Safari Rally have kept local drivers, in particular, busy, the Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) should work on having the Safari Rally reinstated to the World Rally Series.

It is now time for KMSF officials to deliver on their promise of reinstating the local leg to the global series as this would not only profit rally drivers, but would also market the country abroad and bring revenue in terms of sports tourism.

KMSF has done well by putting in place a modern timing and tracking technology, but it is hoped that the federation will deliver promises on funding and better organisation as these were the major issues raised by the global body. We need to see the return of drivers from all over the world to what is touted as the world’s toughest rally, the Safari Rally.