NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is sending two officials to Nairobi to act as observers and report on the suitability of the Safari Rally being re-added to the World Rally Championships (WRC).
Kenya, which is bidding to have its premier motor sport competition, the Safari Rally, readmitted in the 13-tier FIA WRC, has to prove it has the government backing, financial support and that it holds the rally in high regard as prescribed by the global governing body.
The world's motor rallying body has sent Gilles Simon, the FIA head of technical matters and Olivier Ciesla, the WRC Promoter Managing Director to observe the organization of the event and report back before a decision is made.
This comes just weeks after FIA President Jean Todt visited Nairobi and held lengthy meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Phineas Kimathi, Kenya Motor Sports Federation Chairman, said Simon will arrive in Nairobi on Thursday and go straight to Naivasha to have a feel for the Safari Rally route.
"Simon will be joined by Ciesla and during the Safari Rally, they will observe the event on the ground and in a helicopter. They will meet organizers, government officials and sponsors supporting the Safari Rally for talks," Kimathi said on Wednesday.
The rally will officially be sent off outside the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi on Friday before the cars and crew head to Naivasha.
Safari Rally champion Baldev Chager and Jaspreet Chatthe will battle against 40 drivers in the opening round of the 2018 Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) alongside other drivers from Tanzania, Uganda and Ireland.
The rally will have a competitive distance of 200 kilometers. The event also serves as the second round of the Africa Rally Championship (ARC).
Should the organizers impress FIA and meet all the requirements, Safari Rally may be back in the WRC in 2020. The event was dropped from the WRC back in 2002.
