Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Samson Ateka
30 December 2011
The eight leg Kenya Commercial Bank sponsored National Rally Championship starts in early February, according to the latest draft 2012 motorsports calendar.
Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) Chairman Dave Macharia says one of the most exciting aspect of the 2012 rally season is the concept to explore new venues away from the usual competitive stages in Kajiado and Athi River where drivers “brag” they can drive without navigators.
The first event (KNRC 1) takes off on the weekend of February 4-5 organised by Rallye Sports Club in Nyeri. This will be the first time in many years that Nyeri will be hosting a full KNRC event. The last time the roar of turbo machines rocked the town was when Nanyuki Rally Group (NRG) ran its Day 1 spectator stage in Nyeri in 2006 graced by hundreds of spectators.
The rally season ends with KNRC 8 organised by the Forest Road based Sikh Union Club. The KCB Safari Rally 2012, a round of the FIA African Rally Championship and the highlight of the calendar, is slated for the June 9-10 weekend. Next year’s Africa Concours d’Elegance will be held in the grounds of Nairobi Racecourse on September 30. The 2012 edition will be the 42nd annual Concours organised by the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (Kenya).
The Africa Concours d’Elegance is the classiest event on the KMSF calendar and is attended by 10,000 people (9,000 adults and 1,000 children). The Concours has Africa continental status for cars and motorcycles and has been an FIM AFRICA recognised and sanctioned event since 2006. The 2012 season starts with the KMSF Annual Awards on January 14 and the Hog Charge on the same weekend.
The East African Motor Sports Club (EAMSC) will organise the first round of the National motocross series on January 22. The Cross country Raid which features cars, buggies, bikes and quads, has five rounds next year. Last year the Ganatra-sponsored Cross country Raid ran four rounds. The Enduro which usually runs 6 rounds has one extra event. The Annual Rhino Charge organised by the Rhino Ark takes place on June 3-4.
AllAfrica – All the Time