NAIROBI, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's iconic Safari Rally is back under the World Rally Championship (WRC) banner after 17 years of waiting, Jean Todt, president of the Federation of International Automobile Association (FIA) said on Friday.
FIA President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed the Safari's WRC comeback after the FIA World Motorsport Council approved WRC Promoter's calendar.
Kenya secured a three-year deal to run the Safari Rally as part of the 14-tier WRC from 2020 to 2022 with an option of renewing the deal if it proves successful.
Kenya edged out Japan, Chile, Argentina, Mexico to return to the WRC. It will be the only leg of the WRC held in Africa.
"The Safari rally is part of Kenya's heritage since its inauguration back in 1953. Kenya has worked hard to host successful bid to win a return to the WRC. We are happy to welcome WRC back home to where it belongs," Kenyatta said.
This year, Kenya spent 2 million U.S. dollars to stage the rally as part of the WRC candidate rally and the amount will be even higher starting 2020 throughout the three-year period.
The Safari Rally was regarded as one of motorsport's most prestigious and celebrated events of its time, before departing the championship in 2002.
