KMSF confident more East African drivers will compete in WRC Safari Rally

The CEO of the Kenya Motorsports Federation, Phineas Kimathi, is optimistic that this year's World Rally Championships (WRC) will attract more drivers from the East African region.

Kimathi expressed his confidence during the opening meeting of the organizing committee for the Safari Rally at Moi Stadium, Kasarani, citing the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic as a driving force behind the driver's return.

"The pandemic wreaked havoc on many economies, including individual and business levels. However, with the kind of recovery we are witnessing, we are confident that drivers will come back. The region has many talented drivers, and we welcome them," said Kimathi.

In addition to FIA Rally Stars, Kimathi also mentioned that a sizable number of Kenyans were taking part in the rally this year. He also emphasized the need to develop young drivers, stating, "We have a lot of Kenyans taking part in the rally, but we also need to develop young drivers. First of all, we have FIA Rally Stars, where we are developing young drivers who have already started winning events in less than two years."

Last year's Safari Rally attracted 50 experienced drivers, with Kenya represented by Jeremy Wahome, Hamza Anwar, McRae Kimathi, and Maxine Wahome. However, participating in the WRC can be expensive, and Kimathi made a plea to sponsors to support young drivers.

"That is the kind of development we are talking about. So, it is ongoing, and we are encouraging sponsors to come on board and support our own Kenyans because participating in WRC is not cheap," said Kimathi.

The steering committee for the 2023 Safari Rally was unveiled by Sports CS Ababu Namwamba on Monday, with Kimathi serving as CEO and Secretary and Carl "Flash" Tundo serving as chairman. The rally will take place from Thursday, June 22, to Sunday, June 23, with Nairobi and Naivasha as the focal points.

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For those unfamiliar with the event, the Safari Rally is a grueling race that tests the skills of even the most experienced drivers. It was first held in 1953 and became part of the WRC in 1973. After a hiatus of nearly 20 years, the rally returned to the WRC calendar last year, much to the delight of motorsport fans.

This year's event promises to be even more exciting, with more drivers from the region expected to compete. With Kenya's rich history in motorsport and the growing popularity of the WRC, the Safari Rally is set to be one of the highlights of the year for motorsport fans around the world.