Keep the Safari, says McRae

The event, hampered by financial worries earlier this year, is moving closer and closer to the modern format of other rallies in the championship, with a single service park and repeated stages. The Safari of old was a mammoth 2000-mile endurance speed-fest, and although the 2002 event is significantly shorter, it still retains some of its unique character that McRae believes the rally is vital to the championship.

"I think it's such a great event because it's such an adventure," he said. "It's the only one of the season which differs from the standard format. There has been a lot of talk about not having the Safari in the championship, but I think it definitely has a place. Rather than the rally being made easier, I would like to see it go the other way and return to the tougher style Safaris of the past."

McRae has won the event twice before (in 1997 and '99) and acknowledges that with his experience and the performance of the Ford Focus on rough events, he's one of the favourites for victory.

"The Safari is so demanding that you just have to choose your speed and stick with it, without worrying about the pace of the others," he added. "After the way the Focus dominated the Acropolis Rally, I guess Ford will start as favourites. We know the car is tough and goes well on rough rallies, and despite this year's route changes, the Safari is still harder than any other."