World Rally Championship drivers to grace rally school launch

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MOTORSPORTS World Rally Championship drivers to grace rally school launch

Festus Chuma 17:05 - 29.02.2024

Kenya will launched its first Rally School with WRC drivers at the Loldia Shakedown in March.

Top World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers are set to dazzle fans at the much-anticipated official launch of the Kenya Rally School, a momentous event scheduled to coincide with the Loldia Shakedown in Naivasha on March 27. 

This groundbreaking initiative is set to mark a pivotal moment in Kenya's motorsport history, promising to be a spectacle of speed, skill, and the spirit of rallying.

The inauguration of the Rally School will unfold immediately after the adrenaline-pumping 5km Ndulele Shakedown Stage. 

This strategic scheduling ensures that the thrill of rally racing sets the perfect backdrop for the introduction of a facility that is expected to revolutionize the sport in Kenya and beyond.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, speaking at a ceremony at Talanta Hela for the unveiling of the new Safari Rally Project CEO, Mr. Charles Gacheru, and his team, shared insights into the government's vision for this venture. 

The Rally School is heralded as one of the Ministry’s Legacy Projects, designed to serve as a catalyst for discovering and nurturing the next generation of Kenyan rally talent.

“We are embarking on a deliberate countdown of 27 days leading to the Shakedown at Ndulele, where fans will witness the debut of WRC Rally 1 Hybrid machines in action. This marks the commencement of our journey to delivering a world-class rally event, with all hands on deck to ensure its success," Namwamba revealed.

President William Samoei Ruto, at the June 9 launch of Talanta Hela, announced the establishment of the Rally School as a strategic move to unearth and polish budding rallying talents.

Charles Gacheru, stepping into the role of CEO of the Safari Rally Project, brings a wealth of experience in sports management to the fore. His appointment is a strategic move, aiming to infuse the project with fresh energy and direction. 

Gacheru succeeds the retired rally driver Phineas Kimathi, who played a crucial role in the event's resurgence on the WRC calendar.

 “As we prepare for Safari's return to its Easter roots, we are reminded of the legacy of Kenyan legends like Patrick Njiru, Shekhar Mehta, and Joginder Singh. Our vision is to emulate their success by nurturing talents through our rally academy," added Namwamba.

The establishment of the Kenya Rally School comes at a critical time, with motorsport witnessing a global resurgence in popularity. 

Vivo Energy has come on board as the official lubricants and fuel partners of the Kenya Rally School, signaling strong industry support for the project. 

Principal Secretary Peter Tum emphasized the streamlined approach of the new team, focused on reinvigorating the Safari Rally Project and ensuring the successful execution of WRC events in the region.

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