The recent spate of heavy rains in Kenya, and constant flooding have made it impossible for event organisers to commence with the planning of the Kenyan leg of the FIA African Championship, popularly known as ARC Equator Rally Kenya.
Consequently, the 2024 Equator Rally Kenya – initially scheduled for end of June – has been declared a force majure and combined with Kenya’s season-closing Guru Nanak Rally for the six-round ARC continental series.
In a bulletin to to organisers, Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) General Manager Mwaura Njuguna clarified that the weather circumstances also informed the change of date of KNRC3 Nanyuki Rally from 25-26 May to 29-30 June.
Subsequently, Equator Rally has since been scheduled from 29-30 June to 30 November and 1 December and will run as both the Guru Manak and Equator.
“Following these changes, KNRC 9 will run as the Equator ARC Rally as well as Guru Nanak. Consequently, the 2024 Kenya National Rally Championship will comprise eight legs,’ said Mwaura.
The stages for Equator initially centered on Voi region were swamped, and it was not possible to drive or access the areas where the rally was planned to take place.
And as preparations for Equator Rally came to a complete stop, KMSF applied to the world motorsports governing body FIA, for approval of the date change.
The request was accepted and changes effected accordingly, added Mwaura.
Defending Africa Champion Karan Patel currently tops the ARC log ahead of Uganda Jas Mangat and compatriot Hamza Anwar. Karan emerged the winner of the season- opening Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally in Jinja earlier this month.
In the Kenyan series, Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo is the leader with 39 points ahead of Eldoret winner Samaan Vohra with 33 and Minesh Rathod with 29.
Defending Kenya Champion Jasmeet Chana is lying fourth after skippingvround 2 Safari KNRC.
African Rally Championship
With an all-gravel calendar made up of events in the sub-Sahara region, the ARC is the premier motor rallying event in the continent.
Since its launch in 1981, the ARC has provided spectacular imagery due to the rallies taking place amid stunning landscapes.
Titles up for grabs
The 2024 ARC will count towards the FIA African Rally Championship for Drivers and Co-Drivers title, the FIA ARC2, ARC3 amd ARC 4 Drivers Co-Drivers titles and FIA Junior ARC Championship for Drivers
This Kenyan round of the ARC moves from Voi to General Mulinge’s farm in Machakos County.
The event will start on 29 November at Sikh Union Club, then head to the WRC Kasarani Super Special Stage (SSS) before proceeding to the expansive Muringe’s farm on Saturday and Sunday, 30 November and 1 December .
FIA ARC 2024 calendar
10-12 MAY: Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally (Winner: Karan Patel-Kenya)
26 JULY: Zambia International Rally
23 AUG: Rally of Tanzania
20 SEP: Rallye International du Burundi
18-20 OCT: Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
29 NOV – DEC 1: Guru Nanak/ARC Equator Rally Kenya (Machakos County)
