ZMSA vice-president Sam Chingambu said the Zambia International Motor Rally was expecting participants from eight countries who do take part in the Africa Rally Championship (ARC).
“This is a serious challenge not only to Zambia, but I think for the whole ARC. We have had issues with I think participants coming from other countries, as you are aware; ARC is competed by eight African countries, and all of us are failing to understand why we cannot get the numbers,” Chingambu said.
The Zambia International Motor Rally which was won by Jassy Singh, had 34 local drivers but only attracted Don Smith from Kenya who finished ninth.
But Chingambu said ZMSA was in talks with the international motor rally organising body (FIA) to see how best participation of foreign crews could improve.
“If you only have one foreign crew, I mean it does not augur well especially when it comes to the corporate world because they want to see numbers. They want to see the foreign crews. That is why it is called international rally. It is something that we are pursuing very aggressively with FIA to see how we can resolve it especially come 2017,” Chingambu said. “But for Zambia, we are proud to say that we have participated in all the events.”
Muna Singh Jr, who emerged second behind his elder brother Jassy at the Zambia International Motor Rally, is one of those who will be participating in the ARC in East Africa. Muna Jr is second on the ARC standing with 50 points, four behind leader Smith of Kenya.