Limited slots for local drivers at WRC Safari Rally
Edwin Otieno
Only 20 local drivers will take part in the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally from June 24 to 27 in Naivasha.
This was announced by WRC Safari Rally chief executive Phineous Kimathi during an interview with People Sport. He also doubles up as the Kenya Motor Sports Federation chairman.
The rally is making a return to the WRC calendar after 19 years and the manufacturing teams are expected to start arriving from next week.
“We will have 20 slots for our local drivers and the other slots will go to foreign drivers who include three world champions who have confirmed participation,” Kimathi said.
He added: “Apart from the grade one cars, the other cars allowed to feature in WRC events are cars referred to R5 and R3 which must have gone through homologation.
Most local drivers have Mitsubishi Evolution 10 and Subaru N12 which are a bit older and cannot be allowed in a WRC event.”
Meanwhile, the event organisers have assured foreign teams of a safe and trouble free event.
Chief medical officer Dr Raj Jutley speaking to the media via Zoom yesterday highlighted tough rules for the High Density Area (HDA) which will entail, among others, the service park, carwash and holding area.
Raj said the HDA will also have a dedicated team of doctors, an ICU with ventilators as well as evacuation services in case of any eventuality.
Among those who will have access to the HDA will be the stewards, Priority 1, 2 and 3 drivers, Covid-19 marshals, 17 contractors, 12 rally controllers and 5 media personalities among others.
“The HDA will actually be for those who are necessary for the safe running of the event,” said Raj.
Raj said those who will access the designated HDA will have to undergo mandatory Covid and antigen tests and will not be allowed to move out of the zone.
The rest of the stakeholders including the FIA president, those in the Presidential Pavilion will have to be confined to the Low Density Area (LDA).
Raj clarified that strict Covid rules in accordance to the FIA Appendix S will be adhered to throughout the event.
“The essence for the 21-page Appendix S, which was published in September 2020, was to guide the world on how to conduct motorsport in the new normal.
“The FIA will send a Covid delegate to monitor how operations of the HDA will be conducted.
The HDA will only have necessary personnel for the safe running of the event. The HDA will have one exit and entrance,” he said.
