(Posted 26th May 2022)
| RHINO CHARGE TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY 3rd JUNE 2022 |
| It’s all systems go as final touches are put to the 33rd edition of the Rhino Charge, Kenya’s unique off-road competition, at a pristine location in the untamed wilds of southern Kenya. A total of 56 competitor cars have been registered to participate in this year’s Rhino Charge while Camp Operators, Competitors, Guard Post Officers and Sponsors as well as well Spectators are registering on the online ticketing portal www.rhino-charge.org. The deadline for registration is Friday midnight, May 27, 2022. The venue of the annual motorsport-cum-fundraising event, which is usually kept secret until a few days to the actual race, will be revealed in the next two weeks most likely on the eve of Madaraka Day. “Since the resumption of the charge last year, we have witnessed a growing enthusiasm towards the event and increased support for the conservation work we do at Rhino Ark. I feel so indebted to all those who are contributing their time and expertise to make the charge such a successful fundraising event,” said the Clerk of the Course Don White. “Last year, we raised KES 140 million. With that support, we have resumed all our conservation activities on the ground. These include the maintenance of 670 kilometres of fence that protect over 80,000 households from human-wildlife conflict. We have an extensive conservation education programme benefiting 178 primary and secondary schools. We have also three teams of community scouts engaged in desnaring and forest protection In Eburu, Aberdares and Mt. Kenya. Over the past one year, we built 29 kilometres of comprehensive fence on Mt. Kenya, as well as 30 kilometres of low fence with outriggers in the Imenti Forest,” said Rhino Ark Charitable Trust Executive Director and organising committee member Christian Lambrechts. This year’s edition will be the second after the Covid-19 pandemic brought much restrictions on public gatherings globally. Although the pandemic has subsided considerably, the Organising Committee is not taking chances with the safety of all participants as well as the host community. Just like last year, protocols have been developed by the Organising Committee. For instance, to be allowed inside the Rhino Charge venue, a person must provide a certificate of complete vaccination or a negative PCR test conducted within the past 96 hours. The other year (2020), the event was cancelled for the first time since it was started 32 years ago in light of the health and reputational risks associated with the pandemic. Over the past two years, the Organizing Committee has kept under review the risks involved in holding such events as well as the experience gained from similar events. The Rhino Charge has a reputation as a unique formula and one of the toughest events in the world. It has happened 32 times. It is an annual off-road 4×4 competition held in Kenya in which entrants are required to visit 13 points (Guard Posts) while travelling the shortest possible distance across difficult, trackless terrain, where speed is not a necessity. Some of most salient points about the event are: The event is organised in order to raise funds to support the activities of Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust; The event is limited to 65 teams/cars, and cars can either be modified or unmodified; The location and venue of the Rhino Charge is kept secret until the last minute to maximise the challenge; The Charge takes place over a period of 10 hours; Each entrant must pledge and raise a minimum sponsorship fee between 750,000 KES and 1.5 Million KES to enter the event. Most entrants, however, raise considerably more. The Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust supports the protection of Kenya’s water towers, and through its activities has protected the Aberdare Mountain Range and Eburu Forest, and is also engaged in the protection of Mt Kenya Forest, South Western Mau Forest and Kakamega Forest. The work that Rhino Ark does has benefits for the entire Kenyan economy as well as a conservation impact. Key dates for 2022 Rhino Charge: Thursday, June 2, 2022: Scrutineering (inspection of competitor cars to ensure compliance with the rules of the Charge), sealing of Distance Measuring Device (DMD) units, drivers’ briefing and issuance of competition maps Friday, June 3, 2022: The Rhino Charge Saturday, June 4, 2022: Prize-giving I, announcement of funds raised and main competition awards Saturday, July 2, 2022: Spirit of the Charge Event in Nairobi, Prize-giving II, announcement of additional awards and entries for next Rhino Charge. Kindly note that general information about the Rhino Charge is available online on the Rhino Charge website www.rhinocharge.co.ke The digital channels of the Rhino Charge and Rhino Ark are: Rhino Charge Rhino Ark Facebook RhinoChargeKenya RhinoArk @rhino_charge @RhinoArk Rhino.Charge Rhino.Ark Hashtag #RhinoCharge #RhinoArk Youtube rhinocharge4x4 Website www.rhinocharge.co.ke www.rhinoark.org |
