Nairobi — Friday is the deadline for submitting entries to the 2010 KCB Safari Rally due this Easter, a rally official has said.

Assistant Clerk of the Course, Ashok Bhalla said, "Unlike in the past, there will be no provision for late entries in this year's premiere round of the Kenya National Rally Championship.

"Drivers must make they sure have submitted their registration forms by 4pm on Friday, else they be locked out of the rally," said Bhalla.

The organisers have so far received 18 entries although the list is expected to hit the 75 mark. The main event is expected to attract 45 cars, the Supplementary Class 15 and the National Formula Two Championship another 15.

Reigning African champion and winner of the first round of the African Rally Championship in Tanzania, Jamie Whyte, leads the list of foreign drivers.

The reigning KCB East African Rally Challenge Champion, Giancarlo Davite of Rwanda, as well as his compatriots Oliver Costa and Christakis Fiditis, have also submitted their entries.

Carl Tundo, the defending champion and one of the only two drivers to have won the Safari Rally twice since KCB took over as the main sponsors, will spearhead the local charge in his Mitsubishi Lancer.

Other former winners Azar Anwar (2006) and Lee Rose (2008) will form part of the Kenyan contingent. Tundo first won the rally in 2004 and Glen Edmunds in 2003 and 2005.

Conrad Rauntenbach of Zimbabwe was the last foreigner to win the rally in 2007. Tundo said he was ready to defend his title.

"There is no way I can surrender the title easily. This year's route is fantastic as long as the organisers control the traffic and a bit of rain comes down to make it interesting," the veteran driver told the Nation from Nakuru.

The Jahmuri track will have a twin track - where two cars will race against each other - for the first time since Karen in early '90s.

Areas around Makuyu and Thika, which witnessed rally actions late last year with the Rally Sport Club event, are now bracing for more spectacular action with the presence of additional international drivers from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

Kajiado and Ngong will host the final day of the race, with KCB celebrating its seventh year of sponsoring the ARC round. Other support is coming from National Oil Corporation, iWay, Highlands, Identisys, Car Track and KICC.