•One of the key features to look out for in Eldoret is the high-altitude terrain, where teams will be compelled to fine-tune their cars accordingly to suit the treacherous escarpment conditions.
•The new Kenya Racing Team (KRT) round will take place on May 25-26 in Kajiado for round three of the season.
Image: FILE
The 2024 Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) season will revisit some of the country’s iconic speed tests as part of the nine-race calendar released by the Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF) this week.
Western Kenya Motor Club (WKMC)—organisers of the prestigious Eldoret Rally—will host the first race of the season on February 17-18.
Eldoret Rally is one of Kenya’s longest-running rally-sport fixtures; synonyms with picturesque escapement stages, where Kenya’s world-beating middle and long-distance athletes have had their running careers blossom.
One of the key features to look out for in Eldoret is the high-altitude terrain, where teams will be compelled to fine-tune their cars accordingly to suit the treacherous escarpment conditions.
Eldoret has over the years presented a unique atmosphere for competitors and spectators alike.
“Eldoret is always awash with enthusiastic and friendly spectators while the technical stages are unique and magical. It’s an event, which tests the capability of both drivers and their navigators to the fullest. The race contains all the ingredients of a day-long energy-sapping driving,” Jasmeet Chana, who is the defending champion, commented.
Naivasha will once again host the second round of the season—the prestigious Safari Rally Kenya (March 28-31)— which will double up as KNRC-2 and the third round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) after Rallye Monte Carlo and Rally Sweden.
The new Kenya Racing Team (KRT) round will take place on May 25-26 in Kajiado for round three of the season.
KRT was programmed to join the KNRC last year but the Kajiado round was declared a “force majeure” due to inclement weather.
Sikh Union Club, Nairobi will this year host two rounds of the series with Equator Rally, which is the eighth round taking place on October 26-27. The Equator, which was previously held in April, is Kenya’s round of the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) which traverses seven countries across the continent.
Sikh Union will be at it again during the Guru Nanak Rally (KNRC 9) on November 30— December 1. The return of the Nanyuki Rally to the calendar means the 2024 season will return to the Mount Kenya region for yet another high-altitude fixture.
The Nanyuki Rally will take place on June 15-16 and will be hosted by the Nanyuki Rally Group under the watchful eye of veteran organiser Bimal Patel. Nanyuki Rally made its KNRC debut in 1998 the same year the late Jonathan Toroitich (son of former President Moi) and late Ibrahim Choge emerged winners.
Last year’s Nanyuki round was run by Eldoret after the former requested to skip their event, citing logistical challenges.
KNRC CALENDAR 2024
Feb 17-18: KNRC 1 Eldoret Rally– WKMSC
Mar 28-31: Safari Rally Kenya /KNRC 2
May 25-26: Kajiado Rally (KNRC 3 )
June 15-16: Nanyuki Rally (KNRC 4)
July 13-14: Nakuru Rally ( KNRC 5)
Aug 10-11: Mombasa Rally ( KNRC 6).
Sep 07-08: KMSC (KNRC 7)
October 26-27: ARC Equator Rally (KNRC 8)
Nove 30-December 1 : Guru Nanak Rally (KNRC 9)