Kenya plans to run the 2012 Safari Rally as a candidate event for the World Rally Championship (WRC), officials have said, writes Samson Ateka in Coastweek.com.
Jim Kahumbura, the Kenya Motor Sports Foundation (KMSF) Chairman said:
"The World Governing Body ( FIA ) is still interested in Africa as a rallying destination. FIA has withdrawn the 100,000 Euros permit fees for running candidate events. There are indications that they ( FIA ) want to come back to Africa and this keeps Kenya in good stead."
Kahumbura, who made this revelation just day after the Motorsport Council of KMSF approved the 2010 motorsports calendar, however noted the world status wouldn’t be overnight affair.
"FIA will send observers to come and inspect our setup in 2010 and 2011 and we are probably making our bid in 2012 with hopes of making it back to the WRC calendar in 2013,"
Kahumbura noted.
This year, the KCB Safari Rally 2010 still counts towards the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC), the KCB Kenya National Rally Championship and the KCB East African Rally Challenge (EARC).
The KCB Safari Rally 2010 has been relocated to Thika and Kajiado away from the usual Elementaita and Athi River terrain.
Kahumbura said KMSF is motivated by the FIA decision to scrap the 100,000Euros which organizing affiliates have been paying as permit fee for the WRC candidature.
The 2010 motorsports calendar, which kicks of with the KMSF Annual Awards for 2009 on January 24, still has eight rounds for the KCB KNRC, Kenyan National Autocross and Kenya National Motocross championships. Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) remains the title sponsors for the 2010 season with a Ksh 30million package.
Equator Motor Club’s Kisumu returns to the KMSF calendar since 2005; this time renamed the KCB Visa Card Rally 2010.
Kisumu replaces Nanyuki Rally Group’s organized round that was synoniomus with Timau and Ol-Pejeta wheatlands.
Western Kenya Motorsports Club (WKMSC) kicks-off the KNRC season in Eldoret with KCB Biashara Banking Rally on February 6-7.
The KCB Guru Nanak Rally, organized by Simba Union Club, wraps up the 2010 rally season on the weekend of November 20-21.
One of the most interesting features this season; according to Kahumbura is the initiative by co-sponsors Car Track to facilitate all rally cars with transponders in what is a long term project to curb shortcuts.
The rallies commission of KMSF has also introduced the Budget Car class, an under-1600cc non-turbo division that will run separately alongside the Two Wheel Drive category.
The Budget class will be the novice level anticipated to whip up the enthusiasm of beginners.
“We hope to attack as many entries from the Toyota Levins and Starlets and this will be a good start up point for beginners,”
Kahumbura said.
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Tags: 2012, 2013, africa, candidate event, fia, kenya, kmsf, safari rally, world rally championship, wrc
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i am a Bharat Dave wrc champion driver would like to participate in safari-2010 for the media
and visa i require an invitation letter from the organiacr and also give the all the details of the
rally. Kindly enroll my name in the forth coming car rally.I am a very senior rally driver /6th time in Himalayan rally from 1985 to 1990 and 1991 african Safari and 1993 rally of Newzealand and also good result(finisher).
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL…….
KINDLY REMEMBER ASHOK BHALLA
THANK YOU.
BHARAT DAVE