Calls rise for Safari ban
Nov 05, 2001
WORKS drivers have called for the Kenya Safari Rally to be thrown out of the World Championship on safety grounds.
By Douglas Mazune and agencies
WORKS drivers have called for the Kenya Safari Rally to be thrown out of the World Championship on safety grounds.
At a meeting in Perth, Australia, on November 1, calls for the Safari’s exclusion were led by Ford driver and 1992 Safari victor Carlos Sainz.
“We felt the Safari is not any more in the spirit of the championship. Maybe 10 years ago, but with current speeds to compete on open roads, with the fuel load and the animals, it is basic safety reasons. We don’t want it. It’s too different,†Sainz said.
But neither Colin McRae nor his co-driver Nicky Grist attended the meeting, other drivers - including Didier Auriol - described the meeting’s outcome as proposals rather than demands and the drivers had not studied a completely new route for 2002.
There were also calls to do away with the Tour of Corsica, but that split on north-south lines.
“I take more risks in 1000 Lakes (Finland) than in Corsica,†Auriol commented.
ends