Pre-Safari event moved to Kasarani ahead of riveting action

Preparations for this year’s Safari Rally is in top gear with organizers leaving nothing to chance ahead of the event which takes place from March 16-18.

The event will flag off at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) but the thrilling action will be in Naivasha, where hundreds of spectators are expected to get a glimpse of the riveting action.

Event organisers on Thursday said that scrutineering which was initially set for KICC next week  Thursday has been moved to Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and will be done outside Gate 9 and 10.

Clerk-of-Course Gurvir Bhabra said that the area is big enough to accommodate two 100 people sitting tents which will be hoisted to accommodate scrutineers and cars.

“Though known as the home of major football and athletics events, Kasarani has shown its immense potential as the ideal centre for all the 2018 WRC Safari Rally Project pre-event activities”. Said Bhabra

Their tasks amongst other things is to seal some components like turbo chargers,  check eligibility of cars as competition machines and ascertain safety standards as per the International  Motorsport Federation (FIA) set standards.

Besides technical staff, other officials will also be able to do documentation on location and if need use office equipment at the permanent rally headquarters next door, office opened only a week before by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) President Jean Todt.

On settling on Kasarani for scrutineering, Bhabra said the concrete surface is flat with the ideal gradient to check out cars at Zero Level and for mounting mechanical equipment compared to the Kenya International Convention Centre.

“The area fronting the ticketing booths at Kasarani will be turned to parking bays which will allow drivers and their crew to park waiting to be served.” added Gurvir.

But the headquarters of this year’s rally will be moved to Sopa Lodge 14km from Naivasha town via the old escarpment road until March 18 at the end of the Safari which will also end there unlike in the past in Nairobi.

Bhabra says KICC will still remain the starting point next Friday by 9 am and the drivers must be seated by 10:00am, an hour before the first car is flagged off as per FIA regulations and protocols of the day.