Richards says Safari is safe...

Rumours emerged last week suggesting that the Kenyan event was under threat from South Africa in the 2003 campaign.

"The Safari Rally has had problems," Richards said. "We helped them last year but we said we would only put our commercial support behind the event this year if the local government did their share. And they have - they will come to the party this year. We have introduced Inmarsat as a sponsor to the event. The event will go ahead, without any major issues.

"However, alongside this, we have enormous interest from other countries - not just South Africa - but a number of other countries wanting to have a world championship event," he continued. "Countries that are offering substantial incentives for the team to be there - travel support, accommodation etc. And clearly even an event with the heritage of the Safari has to be under threat in those circumstances."

One of the rallies thought to be knocking on the WRC door is Japan's Hokkaido Rally, but Richards said that while it won't be in next year, it's entry could come soon.

"Hokkaido won't be in the calendar next year, but I can see it in the forseeable future," he said.