President William Ruto on Thursday, March 20, pledged government support for the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile’s (FIA) affordable Cross Car project that is aimed at promoting motorsport especially for young drivers.
While speaking during the ceremonial flag-off of the World Rally Championship 2025 Safari Rally, Ruto revealed the new development directing local motorsports federations to provide the necessary support.
“We want to create more opportunities for young Kenyans to participate in motorsport. To that end, the government of Kenya will support FIA’s affordable Cross Car project which aims to develop motorsport talent in Kenya,” Ruto stated.
"I urge all our local motorsports federations to collaborate with the technical and vocational training authority to make local production a reality,” he added.
The project, unveiled by FIA in October 2024, is an initiative aimed at developing an accessible and cost-effective entry point into motorsport, particularly for young drivers. The project focuses on Cross Cars, which are lightweight, tube-frame vehicles designed for off-road racing on dirt tracks.
It aims to lower the barriers to entry into motorsport by providing National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) with blueprints to construct cost-effective Cross Cars using locally sourced materials. These cars are built using simple, cost-effective materials, ensuring they are easy to maintain.
The Cross Car serves as a stepping stone for young drivers looking to progress to rallying, rallycross, and circuit racing. Motorsport is a very expensive venture, and individuals who lack the required funds often miss out on living their dreams and passions.
Notably, the FIA will provide the blueprints for the manufacturing of these cars for free, something Ruto was quick to allude to in his address. The project introduces two new classes: Level 1, which is targeted at young drivers, with an approximate build cost of Ksh750,000 (€5,000), and Level 2, designed for incentive drives and beginner competitions, with costs around Ksh1.5 million (€10,000).
“I thank the FIA for providing free design blueprints for these cars, encouraging local manufacturing while minimising what it will cost,” Ruto expressed.
As of October 2024, these design blueprints have been distributed to the FIA's global network of 147 ASNs, enabling widespread implementation.
To regulate the project, the FIA established homologation rules for Cross Cars to ensure safety, performance parity, and cost control. The cars are powered by 600cc motorcycle engines, delivering a balance of power and reliability.
If implemented as a grassroots motorsport category, the project promises to bring young and budding drivers into the world of motorsport, as the FIA provides support for training and infrastructure development.
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