Following the lifting of the social gathering ban by the Ministry of Health, organizers of this weekend's KCB Thika Rally are offering spectators camping opportunities at Kamuthi's Buffalo Hill stage. The 31.13km stage will be the center of attraction as it will be run twice as CS1 and SS5.
According to the organisers Rallye Sports Club (RSC) anyone willing to catch action at the Buffalo stage should spend the night there where tenting and catering services will be available at a fee. According to Buffalo Hill Head of Communications Perry Wahu, double-bed tents will be on offer at Ksh. 2500.
"Fans can come for a sleepover at Buffalo Hill where food and drink will be provided also at a fee," said Wahu. Clerk of the Course, Hellen Shiri nevertheless noted that COVID-19 guidelines will apply for all and sundry attending the event.
Shiri, who is also the WRC Safari Rally Secretary, added that spectators will only be allowed access to the Buffalo stage a day prior to the raceday.
"The essence is to avoid spectator traffic on Sunday given the fact that the stage will be live from 8:18am. Otherwise, those coming on Sunday can view action from the Pavilion. Rally-sport events make up a substantial part of the sports tourism market in the country. Some of Kenya's biggest sporting events like WRC Safari, provide great opportunities for sports tourism. In terms of tourism development, KNRC events like Thika Rally can be catalysts of economic opportunities, when there is proper use of destination branding and infrastructure development.," Shiri explained.
The Rallye Sports Club (RSC) round of the KCB Kenya National Rally Championship will start and finish at the Mount Kenya University (MKU) in Thika on Sunday. Scrutineering, sealing and marking of components will take place at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday. While team managers and mechanics will be presenting rally cars for scrutineering , drivers and navigators will be out on reconnaissance to familiarize with the route course.
Part of the highlight for the event is the designated 3.2km spectator stage at the MKU Graduation Pavilion where fans will be allocated parking outside the venue and walk into the designated viewing area. The stage will be repeated twice as SS2 and SS6.
The repeat run of 28.48km Ndula stage will be the designated power stage where the top three drivers will earn bonus points towards the championship.
Thika Rally is cosponsored by Kamuthi's Buffalo Hills and Mount Kenya University. The 2021 KNRC has been to Nakuru, Naivasha for both the WRC Safari Rally and ARC Equator Rally, Nanyuki, Ramisi for the Mombasa round and Machakos for the KMSC event. Guru Nanak Rally will culminate the 9-leg KNRC season next month.
DRAFT ITINERARY (1ST CAR)- SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER
08:00: Start MKU Pavilion
08:18: SS1-Bufallo 1 (31.13km)
09:16: SS2-Ananas 1 (21.92km)
09:54: SS3-Pavillion 1 (3.52km)
10:02: HOLDING IN-MKU
10.17: Service A In
SERVICE A-MKU (30mins)
10:47: Service A Out-REFUEL
11:05: SS4-Ndula 1 (25.48km)
11:48: SS5 -Bufalo 2 (31.13Km)
12:36: SS6 Pavilion 2 (3.52km)
12.44: SERVICE B IN
SERVICE B-MKU (30mins)
13:14-Service B out/HOLDING IN
13.29: HOLDING OUT
13.42: Ndula 2 -Power Stage (25.48km)
SERVICE D -MKU (10mins)
14.27: Service out /Parc Ferme In