SA launch bid for WRC event

Nov 03, 2002

LONDON -South Africa has launched a bid to host a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC)

LONDON -South Africa has launched a bid to host a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).

The Safari Rally of Kenya has lost its place on the calendar for next year and the Cape Town bid could now replace it in time for the 2004 series.

“South Africa, Western Cape and Cape Town has a very good chance to be included on the annual WRC calendar by 2004/2005 if we are be able to present a successful candidate event and bid as soon as possible,” Heini Nel, Apex Rally Sport spokesman and

WRC South Africa bid rights holder was quoted as saying on the WRC website on Thursday.

Talks are currently at an early stage, but the country is keen to capitalise on the global marketing potential of the sport.

“South Africa has the opportunity to harvest the enormous economic and tourism benefits from hosting an annual round of a WRC event in the Western Cape,” said Nel.

“The direct economic impact is estimated to be at least 250 million Rands ($25.05 million), television exposure value at least 270 million Rands amounting to an overall economic benefit of at least 500 million Rands."

Reuter

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