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Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has expressed his delight at having the WRC Safari Rally revert to the Easter weekend for the first time in 26 years
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba is among Kenyans who have expressed their excitement at having the WRC Safari Rally moved to the Easter Weekend following the 2024 calendar that was unveiled on Thursday.
The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) World Motor Sport Council unveiled the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar, with the iconic Safari Rally Kenya securing its place as the third round of this adrenaline-fueled motorsport extravaganza to be held from March 28-31 next year.
It is the first time in 26 years that the Safari Rally is reverting to the Easter weekend and Namwamba has revealed how he is relieved that Kenya’s efforts to have the event switched to the holiday season bore fruit.
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21:30 - 19.10.2023
MOTORSPORTS Mark the calendar! WRC Safari Rally 2024 date released
The iconic rally returns alongside new global destinations, promising tradition and innovation.
“Glad we have come to an amicable understanding with the promoter, FIA and all concerned to revert Kenya's iconic Safari Rally to its traditional Easter weekend. Safari Rally Kenya,” Namwamba posted on social media.
With the event now set to happen during the holidays, Kenyans can watch and follow it uninterrupted unlike the last three years when it was held in the last weekend of June.
Safari Rally, which returned to the WRC after a 19-year hiatus, had been held during the Easter weekend until 1997 when it was moved to June before again switching to July up to 2002 when Kenya lost its hosting status due to safety concerns.
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13:30 - 06.10.2023
MOTORSPORTS What Ott Tanak's return means to Hyundai and their quest for Safari Rally maiden title
Ott Tänak rejoins Hyundai Motorsport for 2024 after a season with M-Sport Ford, aiming for WRC titles with Thierry Neuville.
“This is very good Mashujaa news and a celebration for all Kenyans as we retrace the Safari Rally journey of 70 years ago when millions of Kenyans looked forward to the Easter weekend every year to enjoy the thrills of the Safari Rally,” Kenya Motorsport Foundation chairman and WRC Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi told Nation.
The Easter timing will coincide with the onset of Naivasha's rainy season, promising an even more grueling test for the world's most talented rally drivers.
The WRC calendar for 2024 is set to span from January to November, featuring several regular stops, as well as a few exciting changes.
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16:33 - 06.08.2023
MOTORSPORTS Sports CS Ababu Namwamba's plans for rallying in Kenya
Namwamba expressed his excitement about seeing the KNRC slowly taking shape and coming back to standard.
Latvia will replace Estonia in July, and Rally Poland is making a grand comeback after a hiatus since 2017, taking the spot previously occupied by Rally Mexico on the 13-round 2024 WRC roster.
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