Over 40 drivers will line up their vehicles for the East African Safari Classic Rally set to rev off from November 22 to December 2 in Kenya and Tanzania.
As the Safari Rally's flag off date draws closer, Arusha motor sports enthusiasts blame organisers of the rally for holding the event on the same date they were planning to stage their local Guru Nanak Rally.
The Arusha Motor Sports Club’s chairman, Bashir Suleiman told The Citizen that they were not duly informed of the coming of the Safari Rally to Arusha.
"We won't postpone our rally because it will serve as the fourth round of the National Rally Championship. I wonder why our bodies give foreign rallies a priority," he queried.
This would be the fourth year the Safari Rally passes through Tanzania since its inauguration in 2003.
Unlike in the previous events, this year's edition will cover two regions only, Kilimanjaro and Arusha.
The event's organiser, Surrinder Thathi who is blamed for all this confusion, said the cars would enter Tanzania through Taveta border and head to Arusha before speeding back to Kenya through Namanga border.
Only one Tanzanian, Arusha's Jayant Shah will be competing in this year's rally.
"What do we benefit from this rally if the hosts Arusha and Kilimanjaro are not involved," queried Jamil Mohamed, one of the budding drivers in Arusha.
