Safari Rally set for shock return to WRC

The event was dropped from the 2003 schedule because fees from the 2001 rally had still not been paid to motorsport's governing body, the FIA, last year. But the new Kenyan government led by President Kibaki, introduced following a general election late last year, is keen to see the Safari Rally return to the WRC, and has stepped in to help solve the problem.

"It is fair to say the financial issue is resolved and the FIA should receive those funds any day now," Shekhar Mehta, president of the FIA Rallies Commission, told AUTOSPORT. "The new government is chasing positive publicity for the country and the Safari Rally is one method of gaining that."

Mehta admitted that teams had are already being consulted on possible routes for the event, and stated that it would retain a base in Nairobi. He also indicated that the Safari could be prepared for a date in early September, should it be required to stand in for Rally Australia, which could be dropped from this year's schedule by the FIA.

"It would be very hard work, but logistically it could be done," Mehta added.