THE KCB Safari rally has attracted a mammoth entry of 45 drivers from Africa and Europe. Notable among the contenders is last year’s winner Lee Rose, 2008 ARC runners up Jamie Whyte from Zimbabwe, two-time African champion Muna Singh and London-based John Lloyd. 

The rally, which also doubles as the second round on the 2009 FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) is slated for April 3-5.

After the scrutinizing  exercise tomorrow and Friday morning, the three-day event opens with a Super Special stage at Uhuru Park on Friday afternoon, before moving to Elemantaita Lodge around Naivasha town on day two for six competitive sections totaling 177.44km.

Day three sees cars heading to Mombasa Road around Athi River for a further seven section with a total of 117.69km.

The rally covers a total distance of 700 km of which 300 km will be Special Stages.

Rwanda’s representatives Davite Giancarlo and Olivier Costa flew out on Monday just in time for reccing.

Costa, who finished third, behind James Whyte and Uganda’s Emma Katto during the Kobil Rally of Tanzania, will be hoping for better luck in Kenya.

This will be the 57th running of the rally, which started in 1953 with the first Coronation East African Safari Rally. It gained international recognition from 1965 onwards and in 1973 was included into the World Championship.

After 1974, the event grew in stature and became known as the "world’s toughest rally”.

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