FIA happy with Kenya’s progress

Taking the KCB Safari Rally to Nanyuki for this year’s round of the African Rally Championship series could enhance Kenya’s chances of returning to the World Rally Championship circus.

Surinder Thatthi, the FIA vice resident for the African region, said this when speaking to Daily Nation Sport on Sunday.

“Among the demands of the FIA is to have closed stages with good roads. Nanyuki (Laikipia County) should provide that though other issues have to be addressed properly and professionally in order to be recognised by the world motor sports governing body,” said Thatthi.

He added: “Kenya was axed from the WRC circuit in 2003 for failing to heed FIA’s unremitting reminders that certain issues like proper communication, good organisation and financial status were in order lest the event loses the status of being one of the most glamorous rounds of the world rallying.”

SUBSCRIPTION FEES

The event, which was then managed by the department under the Automobile Association of Kenya, finally faced the axe in 2003 when it failed to submit about Sh3.5 million (36,000 Euros) as FIA subscription fees.

Many saw that as a lame excuse to knock Kenya out of the WRC status, though lack of proper communication through a professionally installed Safari Rally secretariat and poor organisation of the event was seen as a major issue in the eyes of the governors of the WRC series.

“FIA is very keen to have Kenya back for its special features. Todt (FIA president Jean Todt) is a great fan of the Safari and he wants it back in the circuit.

“Any country can organise stages in the forests, but it needs a country like Kenya to bring its own quality and world famous tourist attractions to make WRC special,” Thatthi said.

The Kenya Motor Sports Federation, which took over the running of the event from AA of Kenya in 2002, is the sole body mandated to manage the sport in the country.

Though KSMF has the professional secretariat to respond to FIA, Thatthi said the office should only be used as regulators of the Safari Rally and look for promoters to run the rally more professionally and independently in order to remain in the good eyes of the world motor sports body.

Kenya has to continue looking for closed stages and good roads.

In Nanyuki, the Safari Rally will be staged on closed door sections, with Migaa Farm in Kiambu hosting the opening spectator stage followed by another in Naro Moro before Nanyuki takes over the rest of the action.