By James Waindi
The promoter of the WRC Safari Rally is pursuing negotiations with the government to secure a contract extension for the event beyond 2026, aiming to maintain its momentum and continue growing the sport in the region. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
In an exclusive interview with www.mediaguru.co.ke, the promoter revealed that talks are in progress on securing a successful extension that will allow the event to continue thriving in Kenya.
With the Safari Rally being a flagship event in the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar, the promoter is keen to maintain its momentum and continue to grow the sport in the region.
Last year’s WRC Safari Rally Kenya attracted over 400,000 spectators, the biggest attendance in the iconic event since its return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2021.
The fabled Safari has been the most followed event in the 14 leg global calendar since its comeback.
The return of Safari Rally back in the series in 2021 has been a deliberate decision to further globalize the WRC series by incorporating more events outside Europe including six continents—Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia—in its 48-year history.
The return of Japan and Kenya then provided a presence in the world’s largest two continents by size for the first time in more than two decades.
The last time Asia and Africa appeared in the WRC together was 1999.
Reflecting on the impact of WRC Safari Rally over the past two years, and whether they have achieved their objectives, the promoter said: “We are very happy with the development of the event over the last few years. The inclusion of more facilitates and spectator opportunities that cater to families has been a much- needed change, and we’re working to have more and more.”
“We are undertaking negotiations with the representative nominated by the President and CS Sport to reach a successful extension of the current agreement'” he said.
And asked about the impact of WRC after spreading its tentacles across all continents, the Promoter commented; “We continue to work with Safari Rally Project and GOK to make the event the biggest in Eastern Africa. We have some more way to go here, but the progress is good. We would like to see greater participation of both drivers and spectators from neighbouring countries to come to Kenya, and that’s our focus at the moment.”
The Promoter added that the new changes planned for the next few years would definitely make the series more interesting.
He continued: We believe in the development of a grassroots mass-participation motorsport opportunity for all the young people in Kenya to access, and that’s key to growing interest in motorsport.”
“We believe we will have new teams and new drivers coming with the new car technical regulations from 2027, and that’s exciting for all stakeholders and fans,” he emphasized.
