It’s a big field for Safari Rally
Ian Duncan, navigated by Amaar Slatch, powers his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9 forward during the Nakuru Rally. He has expressed satisfaction with efforts aimed at improving the running of the federation. PHOTO | ANWAR SIDI |
What you need to know:
- Kenya has the highest number of quality rally cars that include the WRC ST2000 makes such as the Protons, Mitsubishi Evolutions, Subaru Impreza and host of locally prepared machines such as the Toyota Corollas, Vitzs, Levines and VW Golfs.
- National and Safari Rally champion, Baldev Chager, heads a strong list of entrants who include drivers from as far as Zambia, Cote d’Voire, and Uganda respectively. The battle of the ARC title remains in the hands of Gary Chanyes of Cote d’ voire and Mohammed Essa of Zambia with just Kenya and Madagascar events remaining.
- “The sport has grown tremendously since we joined hands with the local motor sports fraternity. The high number of entrants in the event shows the magnitude of the rally. We will continue working hard to inject extra efforts to put Kenya on the WRC map,” said Asiko.
Sixty cars are expected to tackle the 2014 KCB Safari Rally, which will play host to one of the major rounds of the African Rally Championship.
The announcement was made yesterday at the Pan Africa Hotel where the official launch of the 2014 KCB Safari Rally was conducted.
“Our plans are at the highest level to make sure the team works in the interest of all those concerned and especially on our attempts to try and lure the FIA World Rally Championship status back to Kenya. President Uhuru Kenyatta has agreed to flag off the cars, which also shows the commitment of the government,” said J.S. Vohra, chairman of the Kenya Motor Sports Federation.
His sentiments were shared by James Asiko, the KCB Director of Logistics, who said the bank was equally happy and ready to continue working with KMSF for the betterment of the sport.
“The sport has grown tremendously since we joined hands with the local motor sports fraternity. The high number of entrants in the event shows the magnitude of the rally. We will continue working hard to inject extra efforts to put Kenya on the WRC map,” said Asiko.
BATTLE FOR AFRICAN TITLE
National and Safari Rally champion, Baldev Chager, heads a strong list of entrants who include drivers from as far as Zambia, Cote d’Voire, and Uganda respectively. The battle of the ARC title remains in the hands of Gary Chanyes of Cote d’ voire and Mohammed Essa of Zambia with just Kenya and Madagascar events remaining.
Though Jaspreet Chatthe of Kenya stands a very remote chance of grabbing the ARC crown, he is one of the two young Turks, who will be watched keenly having already won the KCB Nanyuki Rally and Tanzania’s round of the ARC. Also in the limelight will be Rajbir Rai with victories in the KCB Nakuru Rally and Uganda’s ARC round.
Kenya has the highest number of quality rally cars that include the WRC ST2000 makes such as the Protons, Mitsubishi Evolutions, Subaru Impreza and host of locally prepared machines such as the Toyota Corollas, Vitzs, Levines and VW Golfs.
With less than 10 days to go before the event revvs off at the Kenyatta International Conference Centreon Friday next week, focus will now be on Kenya. After the start from the KICC next Thursday, rally cars are expected to tackle three stages through Kiambu, Naro Moro and Nanyuki before an overnight rest halt at the Nanyuki Sportsman Arms Hotel.
Nanyuki will be the center stage for the next two days with action in the remaining eight competitive stages where, Baitain View will remain as the sole spectator stage open to the public while others are closed for safety reasons and as demanded by the owners of the land.
The stage will be tackled on four different occasions - once on Friday, twice on Saturday and once on Sunday respectively.
One of the reasons for taking this year’s Safari Rally to Nanyuki is to revive Kenya’s chances of returning to the WRC circuit for the first time since 2003.
