Kenya prepares for WRC Safari Rally despite postponement

Xinhua
09 Jul 2020, 17:35 GMT+10

NAIROBI, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan organizers have stepped up preparations for the return of the historic Safari Rally, despite the postponement of the event's return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) to 2021.

The rally was set to make its comeback on the WRC roster for the first time since 2002, but was delayed to 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

WRC Safari Rally chief executive officer Phineas Kimathi said in a statement that his secretariat is still working with the initial dates of July 16 to 19 in preparing for the event.

On July 4, the former rally driver led a WRC Safari Rally management team on update visits of the Service Park in Naivasha that will be critical in hosting the event.

"We are following the initial schedule that we had set out for this year's Safari Rally, assuming everything needed to be ready for July 15," Kimathi said on Thursday.

"We had targeted to finish the Service Park by last week, but because of the COVID-19 situation work slowed down a bit, but even then, the contractor has done 75 percent of the work," he added.

Kimathi noted the government has played a key role in making sure preparations for the WRC Safari Rally were in top gear.

Several rounds of the World Rally Championship were canceled this year due to a global lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just three rounds had been held in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Mexico before the virus struck, and a reworked 2020 calendar was announced recently with Rally Estonia making its debut after running as a WRC promotional event in 2019.

Fresh dates for the 2021 WRC Safari Rally will be communicated soon.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kenya Star.

More Information

null in null

Africa

Section

China throws weight behind Pakistan and Iran

Hong Kong, June 17 (ANI): China purports to be a neutral and responsible force for good on the international stage, but its allegiances...

Indian diaspora hails PM Modi's visit as beginning of a new chapter in Canada-India relations

Calgary [Canada], June 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief visit to Canada has sparked excitement and optimism among the...

Daily World Briefing, June 17

Iranian strike shuts down Israel's largest oil refinery Bazan, Israel's largest oil refinery company, announced on Monday night that...

Canada and India can build long term ethical economic friendship: Dr Rishi Singh

Alberta [Canada], June 17 (ANI): As the world's most influential leaders gather for the G7 Summit in Alberta, Rishi Singh, Honorary...

GHANA-ACCRA-LEKMA HOSPITAL-CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM-DONATION

(250616) -- ACCRA, June 16, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Yang Yongguang (L), head of the 14th Chinese medical team to Ghana, introduces medical...

Proteas return to Home of Cricket for more celebration before leaving for South Africa

London [UK] June 16 (ANI): South Africa's squad returned to the Home of Cricket, Lord', for more celebrations after winning their maiden...

World

Section