Kenya defends its under-fire Safari rally

NAIROBI - Kenyan motorsport authorities vowed Monday to resist attempts to remove the Safari Rally from the world rally championship series following criticism by the world motorsport body FIA. FIA and the International Sportworld Communicators (ISC), which has the exclusive television rights to all the rallies in the championship series, last month warned that the Safari Rally might be scrapped unless the Kenyan government showed a greater commitment to safety. Animals criss-crossing the race route are the greatest danger to drivers. “Kenya cannot and will not abandon a half century of hard work and a very proud national tradition,” said Isaiah Kiplagat, the head of the country’s motorsport governing body, the Automobile Association of Kenya. This year’s Safari is scheduled for July 11-14 and will mark the event’s 50th anniversary. Kiplagat said the Safari Rally, which relies on local sponsorship for its survival still remains one of the two, along with Monaco, as the “hottest properties” in the championship series package for broadcasters. He said the Kenyan government would ensure strict safety standards for drivers and spectators during this year’s competition.ends