Chris Musumba
11 June 2008
Nairobi — A total of 12 foreign drivers have registered for the KCB Safari Rally to be staged from June 27 to 29.
At the same time, rally organisers have moved to correct the timing system that has troubled the last two rounds of the national rally series.
A total of 57 drivers have sent in their confirmations, and entries will close on June 17.
The Safari Rally, which will be run as an International Rally Challenge support event, will be staged in Elementaita and Athi River.
Among the foreign drivers on parade will be ARC champion Muna Singh (Zambia), Hideyaki Miyoshi (Japan), Emmanuel Kato (Uganda), and Navraj Hans (Tanzania).
Surinder Thatthi, the chairman of the Safari Rally organising committee, said they had shipped in a Sh800,000 timing and lighting system similar to the one used globally in World Rally Championship events.
Thatthi said that they had entered into an agreement with Security Group, the official sponsors of security and medical ambulance services for the event, to fix tracking systems on all the cars. This means no driver will veer off the road more than two metres without being noticed. Any violation of the course will be immediately reported to headquarters.
Clerk of the course Ashok Bhalla said he expects a smooth and top speed rallying on the first leg in Elementaita, but cautioned that, depending on the weather, it might be tough in the second leg at the East Africa Portland Cement quarry in Athi River.
"There will be no grading of the roads as most parts are smooth, though we have a few sections that are rough, which is why it is called the Safari Rally," said Bhalla.
The rally route will remain the same.
However, most stages have been merged to test the drivers' endurance and car reliability. The longest competitive section will be a 27km stretch in Athi River.
Thatthi said most issues picked out by FIA observers in last season's event had been addressed. Spectator stages' security perimeter has been beefed up.
Closed roads
Unlike the last two events, the Safari Rally will be competed on closed roads, reducing the probability accidents.
FIA has appointed three observers to oversee this year's event. Germany's Wulf Biebinger will head the team assisted by Richard Leeke, a FIA steward, while Jery Bailey will be the FIA technical director.
KCB has sponsored this year's Safari Rally to the tune of Sh30 million, which marks an end to their three year deal with the KMSF valued at Sh105 million.
The bank management has pledged to support rallying for the next three years, and contract negotiations are going on.
The Safari rally as usual will get high interests from foreigners who are eying to get a vantage spot in their quest for the KCB East Africa rally which wounds up with the Safari rally after other rounds in Tanzania and Uganda. Other drivers are keen to extend their grip on the Africa rally Championship.
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