The Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) has confirmed that no Rwandan driver would take part in the Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally slated for today.

RAC Organizing Secretary Christian Gakwaya told Times Sport that no Rwandan driver has shown interest in the event.

"No driver has come up to confirm his interest in the event. Many are concentrating on their preparations for the last competition on the local calendar (Des Milles Collines rally) and I think that’s why they have not shown interest in the Kenya rally,” he said.

However, Gakwaya noted that Rwandan drivers would benefit from the Kenyan rally in a sense of using it has part of their preparation for next month’s Des Milles Collines event.

Meanwhile, former world champions Bjorn Waldegaard and Stig Blomqvist have confirmed their participation in the Kenya Safari Classic Rally.

The event will be flagged off on Moi Avenue, Mombasa, today at 4pm. It restarts the following day at Sarova White sands, at 6am and makes a night halt at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.

Waldegaard and Blomqvist will drive Ford Escort RS 1600s, and have been competing using the cars. Blomqvist, co-driven by Ana Goni, featured in the Costa Brava Rally.
Waldegaard is a four-time Safari Rally champion and the 1979 WRC champion.

Over 70 entries, big names on the Kenyan local scene are expected to spice up the event. However, Waldegaard has vowed to win the title.

None of the overseas competitor has won the two editions of the East African Classic Safari Rally since its inception in 2003.

The 63-year-old contestant of yesteryear made his intentions known with a surprise visit to Kenya last week.

Waldegaard finished seventh overall in the 2005 edition when he teamed up with David Cavanaugh in a Porsche 911 Carerra.

Kenya will rely on Ian Duncan is also favorite winner in this year’s edition of the Kenyan rally.

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